Perkemas akses kemudahan, pembiayaan untuk usahawan Bumiputera

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced several initiatives to boost the Bumiputera economy, including the Teraju fund totaling RM1 billion and increasing the National Small and Medium Enterprises Financing Corporation's financing to RM500 million. These measures were outlined in the 2027 Budget, which need to be followed by effective access arrangements to ensure entrepreneurs don't get left behind or fall through the cracks of the opportunities and facilities provided.

Azamanizam Baharon, President of the Malaysian Malay Trader and Businessmen Association (Perdasama), stated this difficulty in obtaining access to financing, contract opportunities, and facilities persists despite three budget rounds. While celebrating the Prime Minister's announcement, particularly his commitment to strengthening the Bumiputera development and economic empowerment agenda, Perdasama believes a success rate of any budget should be measured by how easily it can be accessed.

This remains an ongoing issue among Bumiputera entrepreneurs, even after three budget rounds. It involves struggles with obtaining access to financing, contract opportunities, and various facilities established, he said in a statement. Therefore, the government should consider a mechanism to synchronize access to these initiatives through engagement with trade associations having direct networks with entrepreneurs on the ground.

This mechanism should focus on three key aspects: clear and targeted access, monitoring and accountability, and measuring the real impact. Each initiative should include eligibility guidelines, required documents, application channels, advisors or reference centers, and a reasonable processing timeline. Applicants should also receive confirmation of acceptance, status information, and explanations if their application is not approved.

Perdasama urges ministries, departments, financial institutions, and approximately 80 agencies involved in Bumiputera development to act more proactively and responsively based on the real needs of entrepreneurs. He emphasized that difficulties in obtaining financing access need to be addressed seriously with more targeted and effective support.

Entrepreneurs are the ones who pay workers' salaries, bear operating costs, secure customers, meet financial commitments, and ensure businesses continue to survive in an increasingly competitive environment. When access to necessary assistance and financing is hard to obtain, some entrepreneurs may resort to more expensive or risky alternative sources of funding.