SHAH ALAM, Aug 29 – The Malay community cannot continue to be spoon-fed despite needing help with education, says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, as reported by FMT News.
In a speech read by deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof at the celebration of Universiti Teknologi Mara’s 25th anniversary, Anwar said it was important that UiTM help the Malay community progress until it could stand on its own.
Anwar said the history of UiTM must be understood within the context of the challenges and issues surrounding the education of the Malays.
He said prominent Malaysian writer Zainal Abidin Ahmad once noted that poverty for Malays did not just refer to material wealth, but also the lack of education, knowledge, and aspirations among the community.
“It is because of this backwardness and poverty that UiTM remains relevant today,” he said.
“We cannot escape the reality that Malays and indigenous people need enhanced educational support because many come from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“Nevertheless, Malays cannot continue to be constantly spoon-fed until they become overly dependent on others.
“UiTM’s role is to bring educational progress to the Malays and Bumiputeras, until they can stand on their own and contribute to the economy.”
Anwar also praised UiTM for “retaining and upholding” the Bumiputera identity and schools of thought “rooted in local contexts”.
.UiTM, which was initially known as the Rida Training Hall, was established in 1956 with the goal of transforming Malaysia through the transfer of knowledge.
Over the years, the institution changed its name from Maktab Mara to Institut Teknologi Mara (ITM). It was upgraded to Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) on Aug 26, 1999.
UiTM is now ranked 587th in the QS World University Rankings 2025, 98th in the QS Asia University Rankings 2024, and 151st in Asia in the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2024.
UiTM has also developed the Al-Sultan Abdullah Hospital in Puncak Alam as a university hospital with a team of trained specialists, and high-tech facilities, providing healthcare services to the community.
