KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 18): The Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives has announced three immediate measures, including a six-month interest-free moratorium for loans from its agencies, to help support flood-hit businesses.
Newly appointed Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Steven Sim Chee Keong said in a statement that the moratorium will be granted to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and cooperatives nationwide impacted by floods.
The moratorium covers loans from seven agencies under the ministry — the Malaysia Cooperative Societies Commission, SME Corp Malaysia, Tekun Nasional, Bank Rakyat, SME Bank, Perbadanan Nasional Bhd and Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia.
He also announced that Bumiputera financing under Tekun will be increased to RM500 million in 2026 from RM300 million this year.
Financing for Indian entrepreneurs under the Indian Community Entrepreneur Development Scheme (SPUMI) will be raised to RM50 million from RM30 million, while a new RM50 million financing scheme for Chinese MSMEs will be launched in January next year.
In addition, Sim instructed the ministry’s top management to immediately review and streamline all processes, procedures and costs borne by stakeholders — particularly MSMEs and cooperatives — to shorten processing times and reduce compliance costs, in a move to create a more business-friendly environment.
Sim, who was appointed to helm the ministry following the second Cabinet reshuffle, said he had held meetings with the ministry’s secretary general, Datuk Seri Khairul Dzaimee Daud, and senior management to align priorities.
He said his ministry had been mandated by the prime minister to drive people-centric economic growth through the empowerment of MSMEs and the cooperative movement, taking into account challenges in the global and domestic business environment.
To support this mandate, Sim outlined four strategic pillars that will guide the ministry’s policies, programmes and legislation — accelerating productivity, reducing bureaucracy, improving access to capital and developing market access.
Sim added that he will work closely with newly appointed Deputy Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin and the entire team under the ministry to ensure Malaysia’s MSME and cooperative ecosystem remains efficient, competitive and business-friendly.
Source: https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/786404

