KOTA KINABALU: Entrepreneurs and cooperatives affected by floods and landslides can apply for loan repayment restructuring or postponement of up to six months, says Datuk Ewon Benedick.
The Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister said this policy applies nationwide whenever a district or state is declared a disaster zone.
He said there are seven financial agencies under the ministry, including Bank Rakyat, SME Bank, Tekun Nasional, Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM), Malaysia Cooperatives Commission (SKM), Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (Pernas), and SME Corp Malaysia.
"Affected cooperatives or entrepreneurs can apply for postponement of repayment with the condition that police reports are lodged and they have informed their respective agencies," he said in a statement on Thursday (Sept 18).
"For example, if they have loans with Bank Raykat, they have to present their police report and a verification that their premises were affected due to the disaster," he said.
Ewon added that this policy applies to Sabah currently, specifically for the flood- and landslide-hit districts of Penampang, Papar, Beaufort and Sipitang, among others.
Benedick said this is to help the victims and ensure they have enough time and opportunity to get back on their feet.
Earlier, he visited several affected districts, including Kampung Marahang and Kampung Mook in Limbahau, Papar, where five lives were lost.
He also distributed food baskets to the Limbahau Community Service Centre for flood victims in the area.
He thanked Tekun Nasional for the food baskets.
