Gentlemen,
Reorganisation of RIDA
I have decided that the existing RIDA be reorganised so as to give it new life, new spirit and image. Following upon the resolution of the Kongres Ekonomi Bumiputera, I have also decided that the reorganised RIDA be given a new name called Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA). I feel that it is time now to do this because the RIDA that we have today is foo cumbersome to carry on the task of helping the Bumiputera to get effective participation in the economic life of this country.
The New set up of MARA
The law setting up the new organisation (MARA) is now being drafted, but we have to start setting up new organisations within MARA under the existing law straightaway. I have, therefore, given instructions that MARA should have 7 divisions each to be headed by a Director. These Divisions are:—
(i) The Administrative Division;
(ii) The Accounting Division;
(ill) The Loans Division;
(iv) The Transport Division;
(v) The Commerce and Industry Division;
(vi) The Advisory Services Division; and
(vii)The Training Division.
Autonomy of each Division
Each Division will be independent of each other, and each Director is directly responsible for the operations of his own Division.
Functions of the Chairman
The Chairman will be free from the day to day routines of MARA, and will be responsible for carrying out the policies, coordinating and supervising the activities of the Divisions, and for planning the future programmes of MARA. He will be assisted by a staff officer who will possibly act as a trouble-shooter on behalf of the Chairman.
Establishment of Committees
In the past, RIDA could not function effectively because it followed Government procedures and rulings, resulting in excessive use of red tapes. We do not want this to happen again, and I feel that the existing Committees set up by the Authority should be replaced with the following Committees:
(i) Establishment Committee for Divisions I and II;
(ii) Establishment Committee for Subordinate Staff;
(iii) Finance and Development Committee; and
(iv) Scholarships Committee.
The memberships and functions of each Committee are laid out in detail in one of the Authority's Papers which you are going to consider today. You will find that the membership of each Committee is small. We do not want large and flabby Committees because they would impede the smooth running of MARA. We want quick action and result.
The Directors
The other questions I would like the Authority to consider is the creation of the posts and appointments of Directors. Although I have already directed that these posts be created and filled, I hope you do not mind regularising such action however unprecedented it may be. The Directors of the Divisions are as laid down in the Authority's Paper and are as follows:—
(i) Engku Mohsein bin Mohamed — Director of Administration Division.
(ii) Encjk Abd. Ghani Ahmad — Director of Accounts Division.
(iii) Encik Mansor bin Othman — Director of Training,
(iv) Encik Md. Rasli bin Md. Nawi - Director of Credit Finance Division.
(v) Encik B.J. Moss — Director of Transport Division.
(vi) Encik Wan Abd. Hamid bin — Director of Commerce and Mohd. Salleh Industry Acting Director of Advisory Service Division.
Permanent Committee of the Congress
I would also- like to mention here that I have appointed a Permanent Committee to watch over the implementation of not only the resolutions of the. Kongres Ekonomi Bumiputera but also of other actions de107 signed to promote effective participation of the Bumiputera in the economic life of the country. At the State level, I envisage that there will be a sub-committee of the Rural and National Development consisting of the:-
(i) The Hon'ble Menteri Besar as Chairman;
(ii) The State Development Officer — Deputy Chairman & Secretary;
(iii) Two or Three Exco Members;
(iv) State Commissioner of Lands and Mines;
(v) State Forest Officer;
(vi) State Engineer; and
(vii) State Agricultural Officer.
Well, I have nothing more to say but I would welcome you to raise questions if you have any.
