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Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
‘Don't belittle RM100 aid, it means a lot to the poor,' says Ramanan
BUTTERWORTH, July 25 — The provision of additional cash assistance of RM100 to Malaysian citizens, aged 18 and above, through the Basic Rahmah Contribution (SARA) programme should not be politicised, but rather seen as a form of concern for the poor. Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Seri said downplaying the value of the RM100 assistance was like belittling the poor in this country because it had a great impact on the daily lives of the less fortunate. 'If he is a rich man, T20, he would indeed look down on RM100, but does he know how many people in this country are in the B40 group…how much RM100 is to them and for rich people, he doesn't understand whether RM100 is a big deal or not. 'Do they know how many kilogrammes of rice RM100 can buy, how many chickens it can buy? So, if the (government) initiative is good, we have to say it is good, if it is not good, we have to say it is not good, not to belittle it,' he told reporters after attending the PENN 2.0 Special Fund Financing Briefing and Presentation Ceremony here last night. Explaining further, Ramanan said all parties should show empathy and understand the reality of the lives of low-income groups, especially in challenging economic conditions. Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, yesterday announced several major initiatives as a sign of appreciation from the MADANI Government to the people, including the one-off RM100 grant under the SARA programme, the delay in toll hikes for 10 highways, and the lower RON95 petrol price subsidy at RM1.99 per litre. Meanwhile, Ramanan also said the MADANI Government no longer relies on a single agency such as the Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit (MITRA) in addressing the issues of the Indian community, but has instead introduced various high-impact programmes including financing and entrepreneurship development. According to him, the government is now implementing a more comprehensive approach involving various agencies such as the National Entrepreneurial Group Economic Fund (TEKUN), Bank Rakyat, SME Bank and Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) specifically to empower Indians. '(It is) increasing the Prosperity Empowerment and A New Normal for Indian Women (PENN) fund from RM50 million to RM100 million, in addition to an additional RM50 million fund for the BRIEF-i programme, the Indian Community Entrepreneur Development Scheme (SPUMI) and introducing Vanigham Financing for Indian Entrepreneurs with financing of RM50 million,' he said. In total, he said that a total of RM417 million had been channelled by the government specifically to implement various initiatives to empower the Indian entrepreneurial community, as of this month. Earlier, a total of 22 people received total financing involving the PENN, SPUMI, SPUMI Goes Big and BRIEF-I programmes totalling RM932,000. — Bernama
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
RM100 SARA aid benefits poor, says Ramanan
BUTTERWORTH: The RM100 Basic Rahmah Contribution (SARA) aid for Malaysians aged 18 and above should not be politicised, as it provides crucial support for the poor, said Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Seri He criticised those who belittle the assistance, stating that RM100 holds significant value for low-income earners. 'For the T20 group, RM100 may seem insignificant, but for the B40 community, it can buy essential groceries like rice and chicken,' Ramanan told reporters after attending the PENN 2.0 Special Fund Financing briefing here. He urged empathy towards the struggles of the underprivileged, especially amid economic difficulties. 'If a government initiative is good, acknowledge it. Do not undermine its impact,' he added. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently announced several measures, including the one-off RM100 SARA aid, delayed toll hikes, and reduced RON95 petrol subsidies at RM1.99 per litre. Ramanan also highlighted the government's broader approach to uplifting the Indian community, moving beyond reliance on MITRA. Initiatives like the PENN fund, now doubled to RM100 million, and RM50 million Vanigham Financing for Indian entrepreneurs aim to boost economic participation. As of this month, RM417 million has been allocated for Indian community empowerment programmes. Earlier, 22 individuals received RM932,000 in financing under schemes like PENN, SPUMI, and BRIEF-i. - Bernama
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Do not politicise RM100 aid, great value for the poor
BUTTERWORTH: The provision of additional cash assistance of RM100 to Malaysian citizens, aged 18 and above, through the Basic Rahmah Contribution (Sara) programme should not be politicised, but rather seen as a form of concern for the poor. Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said downplaying the value of the RM100 assistance was like belittling the poor in this country because it had a great impact on the daily lives of the less fortunate. "If he is a rich man, T20, he would indeed look down on RM100, but does he know how many people in this country are in the B40 group…how much RM100 is to them and for rich people, he doesn't understand whether RM100 is a big deal or not. "Do they know how many kilogrammes of rice RM100 can buy, how many chickens it can buy? "So, if the (government) initiative is good, we have to say it is good, if it is not good, we have to say it is not good, not to belittle it," he told reporters after attending the PENN 2.0 Special Fund Financing Briefing and Presentation Ceremony last night. Ramanan said all parties should show empathy and understand the reality of the lives of low-income groups, especially in challenging economic conditions. Anwar, who is also the finance minister, yesterday announced several major initiatives as a sign of appreciation from the Madani government to the people, including the one-off RM100 grant under the Sara programme, the delay in toll hikes for 10 highways, and the lower RON95 petrol price subsidy at RM1.99 per litre. Meanwhile, Ramanan also said the Madani government no longer relies on a single agency such as the Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit (Mitra) in addressing the issues of the Indian community, but has instead introduced various high-impact programmes including financing and entrepreneurship development. He said the government is now implementing a more comprehensive approach involving various agencies such as the National Entrepreneurial Group Economic Fund (Tekun), Bank Rakyat, SME Bank and Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) specifically to empower Indians. "(It is) increasing the Prosperity Empowerment and A New Normal for Indian Women (PENN) fund from RM50 million to RM100 million, in addition to an additional RM50 million fund for the BRIEF-i programme, the Indian Community Entrepreneur Development Scheme (SPUMI) and introducing Vanigham Financing for Indian Entrepreneurs with financing of RM50 million," he said. In total, he said that a total of RM417 million had been channelled by the government specifically to implement various initiatives to empower the Indian entrepreneurial community, as of this month. Earlier, a total of 22 people received total financing involving the PENN, SPUMI, SPUMI Goes Big and BRIEF-I programmes totalling RM932,000. – Bernama
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Don't politicise, belittle RM100 Sara assistance, great value for the poor, says Ramanan
BUTTERWORTH: The provision of additional cash assistance of RM100 to Malaysian citizens, aged 18 and above, through the Basic Rahmah Contribution (Sara) programme should not be politicised, but rather seen as a form of concern for the poor, says Datuk Seri R. Ramanan. The Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister said downplaying the value of the RM100 assistance was like belittling the poor in this country because it had a great impact on the daily lives of the less fortunate. "If he is a rich man, T20, he would indeed look down on RM100, but does he know how many people in this country are in the B40 group…how much RM100 is to them and for rich people, he doesn't understand whether RM100 is a big deal or not. "Do they know how many kilogrammes of rice RM100 can buy, how many chickens it can buy? So, if the (government) initiative is good, we have to say it is good, if it is not good, we have to say it is not good, not to belittle it," he told reporters after attending the PENN 2.0 Special Fund Financing Briefing and Presentation Ceremony here Thursday (July 24) night. Explaining further, Ramanan said all parties should show empathy and understand the reality of the lives of low-income groups, especially in challenging economic conditions. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the Finance Minister, on Wednesday (July 23) announced several major initiatives as a sign of appreciation from the Madani government to the people, including the one-off RM100 grant under the Sara programme, the delay in toll hikes for 10 highways, and the lower RON95 petrol price subsidy at RM1.99 per litre. Meanwhile, Ramanan also said the Madani government no longer relies on a single agency such as the Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit (Mitra) in addressing the issues of the Indian community, but has instead introduced various high-impact programmes including financing and entrepreneurship development. According to him, the government is now implementing a more comprehensive approach involving various agencies such as the National Entrepreneurial Group Economic Fund (Tekun), Bank Rakyat, SME Bank and Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) specifically to empower Indians. "(It is) increasing the Prosperity Empowerment and A New Normal for Indian Women (PENN) fund from RM50mil to RM100mil, in addition to an additional RM50mil fund for the BRIEF-i programme, the Indian Community Entrepreneur Development Scheme (SPUMI) and introducing Vanigham Financing for Indian Entrepreneurs with financing of RM50mil," he said. In total, he said that a total of RM417mil had been channelled by the government specifically to implement various initiatives to empower the Indian entrepreneurial community, as of this month. Earlier, a total of 22 people received total financing involving the PENN, SPUMI, SPUMI Goes Big and BRIEF-I programmes totalling RM932,000. - Bernama
The Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
RM417 mln allocated to boost Indian entrepreneurs in Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP) has allocated nearly RM417 million to empower Indian entrepreneurs through various funding initiatives. Deputy Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan highlighted that the allocation supports both existing and new programmes, including loans and matching grants. In 2024, KUSKOP introduced the Bank Rakyat Indian Entrepreneur Financing-i (BRIEF-i) with RM50 million and the Business Accelerator Programme for Indian Small Business (i-BAP) under SME Corp, offering RM6 million in grants. 'These projects involve an additional RM136 million to scale up businesses at the national level,' Ramanan said in the Dewan Rakyat. He was responding to a supplementary question from S. Kesavan (PH–Sungai Siput) on whether new initiatives, such as non-repayable grants, were included under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK-13). For 2025, KUSKOP announced another RM50 million each for BRIEF-i, SPUMI Goes Big, and PENN, along with a new Vanigham Financing scheme for Indian entrepreneurs. 'Most initiatives are low-interest loans, targeting those beyond the B40 group,' Ramanan said. Regarding repayment performance, Ramanan noted that 7,074 recipients benefited from the PENN programme under Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM), with a non-performing loan rate below 1%. TEKUN Nasional's SPUMI initiatives disbursed RM88.1 million to 3,470 recipients, showing strong repayment records. - Bernama
