KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 — Empowering Bumiputera in several sectors including entrepreneurship and education continues to be the priority of the government’s national agenda through Budget 2016. 

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, in tabling the budget themed “Prospering the Rakyat” in the Dewan Rakyat today, said it also included the development of the Bumiputera community in Sabah and Sarawak.  Under the priority, a sum of RM150 million is allocated to the Bumiputera Agenda Unit (TERAJU) to implement various programmes including the Bumiputera Entrepreneurs Startup Scheme and High-Performing Bumiputera Companies Programme. 

A sum of RM150 million is also allocated for the Bumiputera Education Steering Foundation to implement the ‘Peneraju Tunas’, ‘Peneraju Profesional’ as well as ‘Peneraju Skil’ and ‘Iltizam’ programmes.

“Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) is allocated RM3.7 billion for expenditure, including the sponsorship of 72,000 Bumiputera students to continue their studies at the tertiary level,” he said.

To increase equity ownership and strengthen Bumiputera entrepreneurship and businesses, Najib said some allocations were allocated for it. 

The allocations are RM400 million to the National Equity Fund Limited (EKUINAS), RM250 million to Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Berhad (PUNB), RM150 million to Pelaburan Hartanah Berhad, and RM100 million loan to UDA Holdings for the development of Kampung Baru, here.  — Bernama