PETALING JAYA: A cartel has been detected operating canteens in Mara Junior Science Colleges (MRSM), prompting Mara’s top management to root it out, says Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.
The Mara chairman said this group of businesses has allegedly been monopolising contracts to operate canteens in 57 MRSM campuses nationwide.
“When I joined Mara, people told me of this cartel. I went down to check and we found that it exists. These businesses often use local addresses to register despite being based elsewhere,” Asyraf Wajdi told reporters yesterday.
He explained that Mara prioritises awarding canteen contracts to local businesses near the campuses for operational efficiency.
However, thorough checks revealed that some operators were linked to companies located far away, he added.
The businesses involved in the cartel were identified through spot checks conducted by Asyraf Wajdi and his management team.
“As long as I’m chairman, the spot checks will continue as every sen spent must be accounted for,” he declared after announcing the results of the 2025 MRSM intake.
Although progress has been made, he admitted that the issue is not fully resolved.
“We are doing our best through our monitoring mechanisms,” he said, without disclosing the number of businesses implicated.
Last year, Asyraf Wajdi’s surprise visits uncovered poorly- maintained facilities, including rundown toilets, kitchens and teachers’ rooms, in MRSM campuses in Langkawi, Kedah, and Terendak, Melaka.
He also issued a stern warning to all MRSM canteen operators to adhere to hygiene and safety guidelines or face termination and legal action.
Additionally, MRSM principals have been instructed to prioritise the maintenance and upgrading of essential facilities, such as toilets, in their budgets.
“Instead of repainting buildings, use the funds to improve toilet maintenance,” Asyraf Wajdi advised.
On the 2025 MRSM intake, he said parents and applicants can begin checking their application status in batches until April 11.
Updates will be posted on Mara’s website on Jan 27, March 3 and March 17.
