Functions, Agencies Under MECD Absorbed Into Eight Ministries, Says NajibKUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (Bernama) -- Functions and agencies under the abolished Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Ministry will be absorbed into eight ministries, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said today.
He said the move was to ensure the main roles and functions played by the scrapped ministry were continually given attention by the government, particularly efforts to create a Bumiputera Commercial and Industrial Community.
Also, to expand and expedite Bumiputeras' involvement in the country's mainstream economic development, develop new growth areas and strengthen the cooperative movement, he said in a statement.
Under the changes made, Najib said the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry has been tasked with the responsibility of franchise development and promotion and vendor development programme.
Cooperative development, Cooperatives Commission of Malaysia and Cooperative College of Malaysia have also been placed under the ministry's jurisdiction, he said.
The prime minister said the task of developing Bumiputera Commercial and Industrial Community, National Entrepreneurship Institute and SME Bank are now under the International Trade and Industry Ministry.
The Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board now comes under the purview of the Prime Minister's Department while the Contractor Service Centre has been shifted to the Works Ministry, he said.
Najib said State Development Corporations, Urban Development Corporation, Perbadanan Nasional Bhd (PERNAS) and Bank Rakyat have been transferred to the Finance Ministry.
He said the Rural and Regional Development Ministry is now in charge of MARA while Tabung Ekonomi Kumpulan Usahawan Niaga (TEKIN) has been moved to the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry.
Universiti Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia-Japan University are now under the Higher Education Ministry, he added.
-- BERNAMA