MARA is exploring rental reductions and payment rescheduling to help its entrepreneurs weather global economic challenges, while also supporting education.
DUNGUN: MARA is examining several support measures to assist entrepreneurs under its programmes who are affected by global economic challenges stemming from geopolitical uncertainties.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said measures under consideration include reducing the rental rate of premises for affected entrepreneurs.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, added that MARA will evaluate the implementation of rescheduling financing payments to give its entrepreneurs space to stabilise their financial position.
He emphasised that MARA will continue to strengthen the implementation of the BUDI MARA Education Programme to assist students from low-income families, including those from Mara Junior Science Colleges.
“This proactive measure is important, because in any economic situation, we cannot compromise in ensuring access to quality education continues to be maintained,” he said when speaking at the opening ceremony of MRSM Dungun.
He urged affected entrepreneurs to contact and discuss with MARA directly to obtain assistance or a relaxation in their financing payments.
However, he stated that MARA would not compromise on entrepreneurs who were not affected but tried to take advantage of the relaxation provided.
“We are very concerned about the entrepreneurs who are financed or under the guidance of MARA,” he told reporters after the ceremony.
In a separate development, Ahmad Zahid, who chairs the Central Disaster Management Committee, said the National Disaster Management Agency is coordinating assistance for victims of a fire in Kampung Bahagia, Sandakan.
He confirmed that NADMA has gone to the ground to provide temporary evacuation sites for the more than 9,000 residents affected by the fire incident.
Sandakan district police chief ACP George Abd Rakman said the location was declared a disaster area following the fire, which was reported at 1.30 am.
