The incompetency of MARA officers nearly made my daughter loose her chance to continue her studies.

I am really fed up with the incompetency of the MARA officers.This agency was set up by the government to help the poor and helpless bumiputras.Now, they are running it as if their own family's company.They are not actually helping the poor helpless bumiputras but helping of their own kind only-those who have got connection with them .

On 30th.December 2004, I received a call from a lady officer of the MARA HQ in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Kuala Lumpur who informed me that my daughter Farin was selected to continue her studies at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia under the Skim Pelajar Cemerlang ( SPC ).This means that she would be studying at Kelas Persediaan SPC at UTM from 8th.January 2005 till May 2005 after which ie. in June she would straight away proceed to Year One of a degree course .Farin was quite happy and was looking forward to go to UTM .

Unfortunately when my son Aizad went to MARA HQ,to fetch the Surat Tajaan MARA ,on 30th.December 2004 he was informed by the officer that there was a mistake/mix-up and that my daughter's name was left out by the UTM list of successful candidates .Any way my son saw the Surat Tajaan MARA in my daughter's name on the officer's table already prepared .He left the MARA HQ empty handed feeling frustrated and angry.If Farin was unsuccessful why in the first place inform us to fetch the Surat Tajaan MARA at his office.To console my daughter, I told her to be patient and there could be a 'hikmah'for all this blunder.

Mysteriously today ( 15th.January 2005 morning) my wife received telephone call from a male officer of the MARA HQ informing her that my daughter has been successful and she is required to report to Pejabat Pendaftar ,Hal Ehwal Pelajar UTM Skudai on 17th.January 2005 .Without haste my wife asked our eldest son Aizad,whose office is in the vicinity, to go to MARA HQ again to fetch the Surat Tajaan MARA .He was told by the officer that he had called our home 2-3 times but no one answered . I think he was just making excuses for his incompetency because there are always people at home all the time .It is highly unlikely that the phone was not picked up if really there was a call made.

My wife was very worried because she did not have enough time to prepare .Just imagine ,we have got only one day to do so.I told my wife not to be unduly worried because I have to check with UTM Skudai for the authenticity of the offer because I do not want to go to JB empty handed again.So, I made a call to the Registrar (Student Affairs ) UTM and was shocked to be told that he had informed MARA HQ on 10th.January 2005 to inform my daughter to report to UTM soonest.He gave me till Monday 17th.January 2005 for last day of registration failing which the offer would be withdrawn. This means that tomorrow morning I have to drive down to Johor Bahru to send our daughter there .Luckily I am retired . What if I am still working ? Imagine the hassle I have to undergo applying for the emergency leave .What if I have a very important meeting which I must attend ?

Now, the victim of the incompetency of the MARA officers is me , a retired senior government officer. At least I am staying near to KL and have the capacity to rush down to MARA HQ and to UTM Skudai without much difficulty .What if the victim is a poor kampong man from Kedah or Trengganu ? The poor girl would have to loose her chance to continue her studies .

I have heard a lot of the incompetency of MARA but did not pay a heed to it until it actually happen to our daughter. What a pity , the bumiputras ? I am glad my eldest daughter Eileen did not take the offer by MARA for sponsorship to read medicine overseas .Instead she took the offer from JPA although she was sponsored by MARA for her secondary education at MRSM .

I was told by my wife's niece Dr.Amelia that she went through unnecessary difficulties when she reported to MARA HQ after her MBBS degree at Sheffield . The beurocracies made things difficult for her.

The big shots at MARA HQ should seriously look into this matter and rectify .Otherwise people will loose confidence in the government .I know our new Prime Minister is a sincere man and please do not put him down .