MARA will not bow to pressure or influence from any quarter in its efforts to recover unpaid loans, insisting that public funds must be returned for the benefit of future borrowers.
Its chairman, Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, said the agency remains committed to pursuing delinquent borrowers, including through court action, as part of its efforts to safeguard taxpayers’ money.
“Since I was entrusted with the responsibility of leading MARA, pursuing loan defaulters up to the court level has been among my priorities to ensure every sen of public funds is recovered and can be utilised again for others in need,” he said.
Asyraf stressed that MARA would not entertain appeals for exemptions, even from influential individuals or those holding high-ranking positions.
“The directive from the MARA Council is clear. Do not entertain letters seeking exemptions, regardless of who sends them or how influential they may be,” he said.
He said the firm stance forms part of MARA’s ongoing transformation agenda, particularly in strengthening financial discipline and ensuring funds are managed responsibly.
The comments come amid criticism over MARA’s decision to take action against loan defaulters.
Last year, Asyraf revealed that MARA’s non-performing loans (NPLs) stood at 49.6%, equivalent to RM893 million, prompting the agency to intensify recovery efforts, including legal action against borrowers who fail to meet their repayment obligations.
He reiterated that the funds involved belong to the rakyat and not to MARA or any individual, making repayment a responsibility that cannot be ignored.
As of October 2024, a total of 97,866 borrowers out of MARA’s 197,348 active borrowers had been blacklisted for failing to make repayments for at least three months.
The blacklist applies within MARA’s system and does not extend to other agencies or financial institutions.
