Deputy PM Ahmad Zahid says MARA’s UPTM and UniKL are on track for a Bursa Malaysia listing within three years, driven by strong profits and tech-focused courses.
KUALA NERUS: Two higher education institutions under Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) are targeted for listing on Bursa Malaysia within the next three years.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi identified the institutions as Universiti Poly-Tech Malaysia (UPTM) and Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL).
He said the target is based on the current profit performance achieved by both entities.
“We have set a maximum timeframe of three years from now based on the profit track record, which is a prerequisite for listing,” he told reporters.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Minister of Rural and Regional Development, said profits need to be increased to sustain financial performance.
This will be achieved by boosting student enrolment, including international students.
He said strengthening courses in new technologies like artificial intelligence will support this growth.
The target aligns with the Bumiputera Economic Transformation Plan 2035 (PuTERA35).
Separately, Ahmad Zahid said three MARA healthcare entities will also be consolidated for a potential listing.
The entities are U.n.i Klinik, U.n.i Farmasi and U.n.i Klinik Pergigian.
They will form a single MARA professional entrepreneur entity targeted for listing within the same three-year timeframe.
“We aim for the group of MARA entrepreneurs who have received MARA financing to operate these clinics to be listed,” he said.
He was speaking after closing the Rural and Regional Development Ministry and Agency-Owned Companies Retreat 2026.
The three-day retreat outlined 28 key initiatives to drive rural development this year.
Initiatives include developing selected rural areas into integrated investment hubs.
The ministry will also establish a dedicated rural commercial one-stop centre.
This centre has an annual sales target exceeding RM14 million.
“We hope that this year will be the year of implementation for all the plans,” Ahmad Zahid said.
