KOTA KINABALU (Sabah, Malaysia), Sept 19 – Entrepreneurs and cooperatives affected by floods and landslides may now apply for loan deferments or restructuring of repayments for up to six months, under a proactive humanitarian policy introduced by the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP).
Its Minister, Datuk Ewon Benedick, stressed that this initiative reflects KUSKOP’s humanitarian commitment to support entrepreneurs and cooperatives whenever districts or states are officially declared disaster areas.
“KUSKOP has seven financing agencies including Bank Rakyat, SME Bank, TEKUN Nasional, Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM), the Malaysian Cooperative Commission (SKM), Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (PERNAS), and SME Corp Malaysia.
“Entrepreneurs or cooperatives affected can apply for loan deferment by lodging a police report and informing their respective financing agency. For instance, Bank Rakyat borrowers must provide a police report and verification that their business premises were impacted by the disaster,” he explained.
He said this after leading a Bank Rakyat delegation on a courtesy call to the Sabah Head of State, Tun Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Musa Aman, at Istana Seri Kinabalu. Thursday.
According to Ewon, this policy applies in Sabah particularly in flood-hit districts such as Penampang, Papar, Beaufort, Sipitang and several others.
“We want to ensure that every entrepreneur and cooperative has the breathing space to recover and rebuild after suffering losses,” he emphasised.
Beyond policymaking, Ewon also demonstrated personal compassion when visiting families of landslide victims in Kg Marahang and Kg Mook, Limbahau, Papar, where five lives were lost.
In Kg Marahang, three members of a family were killed, while in Kg Mook, two more perished in a separate incident.
Ewon, who is also President of the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO), joined party leaders in paying last respects, offering condolences and prayers to the bereaved families.
“May the unity of prayers give strength to the grieving families,” he said with empathy.
During the same visit, he also handed over food aid packages to the Limbahau Community Service Centre for distribution to flood victims, while expressing appreciation to TEKUN Nasional for the CSR initiative.
