PASIR GUDANG: The Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry has issued a stern warning that it will take action against any 'cable' or insider practices in the processing of entrepreneur fund applications.
Its minister Steven Sim Chee Keong said all government-provided funds and business loan assistance are the absolute right of eligible Malaysians, without requiring any political connections.
He said the ministry is fully committed to end the practise of political support letters or third-party involvement in financing approvals.
"Now, if you want to borrow money or access business funds, there is no longer any need for a 'party branch chief's' signature, a politician's endorsement, or 'cables'. We open it directly to all Malaysians.
"As long as the entrepreneur is eligible and meets requirements, we will approve it, regardless of race, religion, or even the colour of their shirt (political ideology)," he said after the Borak-Borak programme with the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister here on Sunday (July 5).
Sim said the ministry is actively driving administrative reform through a structured framework to make the country's entrepreneurial ecosystem more effective.
"Key reform priorities include simplifying application processes, shortening capital approval turnaround times and cutting red tape across all ministry agencies," he said.
On complaints of delays or abuse of power, Sim said he trusts most agency staff under the ministry are professional but vowed transparent probes and firm action if misconduct is proven.
"For me, to ensure this reform succeeds, political leadership itself must be upright, have integrity and uphold good governance principles," he emphasised. – Bernama
