MARA invites state governments to cooperate with it to set up Mara Junior Science Colleges (MRSMs) in their respective states.

Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said this could help in saving costs as one MRSM costs RM50 million to build.

He cited the example of the Terengganu state government which had set up Imtiaz MRSM with the cooperation of the Terengganu Foundation owned by the state government and the Central Terengganu Development Authority in Bandar Al Muktafi Billah Shah in Bukit Besi.

"Prior to this, there wasaMRSM built via MARA's cooperation with theDefenceMinistry (MRSM Terendak, Melaka); Royal Malaysian Police (MRSM PDRM Kulim, Kedah) Federal Land Development Authority (MRSM FELDA Trolak, Perak).

"With the cooperation of the Terengganu state government, we can save in terms of the minimum construction cost of RM50 million and only focus on management costs such as teachers' salaries and matters related to administration.

"In this regard, the ministry very much encourages anystate governmentkeen to enter into this cooperation which will benefit allquarters especiallyeducation in the state itself," he said after the launching of Imtiaz MRSM by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman here, on Saturday.