BERNAMA
19/01/2021
PUTRAJAYA, Jan 19 -- Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), Penang Regional Development Authority (PERDA), South East Johore Development Authority (KEJORA), South Kelantan Development Authority (KESEDAR) and Central Terengganu Development Authority (KETENGAH) have agreed to give moratorium to lighten the burden of borrowers and tenants affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rural Development Minister, Datuk Dr Abd Latiff Ahmad in a statement said MARA would be deferring targeted loan repayment to 10,000 former students with financial implications amounting to RM4 million.
MARA is also providing postponement for targeted business financing to 1,500 entrepreneurs with financial implications of RM4.8 million and rental discounts to 5,500 tenants of MARA business premises involving a total discount of RM6.6 million, he said.
"It is estimated that 17,000 entrepreneurs and MARA education borrowers will benefit from the overall targeted assistance and rental discount of up to RM15.4 million," he said.
Abd Latiff said PERDA, on the other hand, had postponed and rescheduled its loan scheme involving 98 borrowers with financial implications of RM130,000.
PERDA also exempts rental payments for its business premises involving 368 tenants; land rental payment exemption involving 54 tenants; and rent at the Hardcore Poor People's Housing Project (PPRT) in Tok Alang, Seberang Perai Utara involving 55 poor tenants, he said.
"It is estimated that a total of 575 tenants or borrowers will receive benefits involving a total financial implication of RM561,000," he said.
According to Abd Latiff, KEJORA, on the other hand, has deferred the payment of rent for organised village houses for 124 tenants and loan repayment for 58 units of Bandar Tenggara Flats.
KEJORA also agreed to exempt the rental payment of three units of commercial buildings, business sites and business premises owned by it, apart from postponing and rescheduling the rental payment of tourism premises involving four tour premises operators, he said.
"It is estimated that a total of 474 tenants and borrowers will receive benefits involving a total financial implication of more than RM685,000," he said.
Abd Latiff said KESEDAR is providing postponement and rescheduling of its loan scheme involving 387 entrepreneurs as well as exempting premises rental payments for 207 traders.
"KESEDAR borrowers and tenants have to submit moratorium applications provided they have no rent arrears or outstanding repayments in the last three months and their business was affected by more than 50 per cent due to the spread of COVID-19," he said.
He said it was estimated that it would benefit 594 entrepreneurs with financial implications of RM287,000.
KETENGAH, on the other hand, is providing exemption for the rental of business premises and residential houses for six months to 1,042 tenants and the deferment of payment of house installment for six months involving 201 buyers of KETENGAH houses, he said.
"An estimated 1,243 traders, entrepreneurs and tenants, will receive benefits involving a total financial implication of RM1.1 million," he said.
Meanwhile, Abd Latiff said the Ministry of Rural Development (KPLB) would continue with the Income Enhancement Programme (PPP) and the Rural Entrepreneurship Strengthening Support Programme which targeted 700 recipients and 250 rural entrepreneurs respectively.
"KPLB will also boost the involvement of rural entrepreneurs in the digital platform through DesaMall @ KPLB Programme. A total of RM4 million is allocated for this programme which will benefit 1,500 rural entrepreneurs," he said.
Group economic programmes such as the Sustainable Village Programme will also be continued with the target of developing 11 more villages with an allocation of RM10 million, he said.
"This programme is expected to benefit more than 2,200 villagers nationwide," said Abd Latiff.
