General : Malaysia, Kazakhstan To Revive Higher Education Cooperation - Zambry

Astana: The Higher Education Ministry commenced a review and restructuring of public university holding companies, including UiTM Holdings Sdn Bhd, last year. Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir revealed the decision aimed to enhance the functionality of the holding companies and bolster their respective institutions, particularly following the cessation of the government's full financial support for universities in 2017.

The minister stated that all university holdings have been requested for review, with the intention of assessing and restructuring the existing holding companies at universities. Zambry disclosed that some holdings were not operating optimally, and this finding prompted the initial step in the review process. During his visit to Kazakhstan for the Malaysia-Central Asia Higher Education Forum 2026, Zambry addressed inquiries about the ministry's actions in response to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's call for a review of UiTM Holdings' management and governance, following the company's reported losses.

Zambry noted that while some university holding companies have achieved profits, others have incurred losses, indicating that the successful business models of better-performing companies could serve as examples for others. He emphasized that a dedicated team, comprising Dr Nungsari Ahmad Radhi, Datuk Dr Hamzah Kassim, UiTM Board of Directors chairman Tan Sri Mohd Khamil Jamil, and former Education Minister Tan Sri Idris Jusoh, has been established to comprehensively review efforts to strengthen UiTM, encompassing aspects related to its holding company.

Zambry affirmed that the measures announced by Anwar align with the ministry's ongoing review, reaffirming the ministry's commitment to reviewing the holdings. It was previously reported that UiTM Holdings had experienced cumulative pre-tax losses of approximately RM157 million for the financial years 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021.