Embargo : For immediate release

January 12, 2007

Agensi Kaunselling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK), an agency set up by Bank Negara Malaysia officially launched its Penang branch today. Located at the Bank Negara Malaysia premises, AKPK provide individuals with money management and credit counselling as well as debt management services. 

AKPK aims not only at providing advisory services but also assisting individuals who are encountering difficulties in meeting their financial commitments. The services of AKPK are provided free of charge.

“The establishment of AKPK is part of the many efforts by Bank Negara Malaysia to proactively and pre-emptively ensure that the household sectors continue to be resilient by providing an avenue for individual borrowers and potential borrowers to seek advice and assistance on managing their credit while at the same time promoting a sound and robust banking system by facilitating debt repayment efforts and minimising incidence of non-payment arising from bad debt management. An important part of the strategies implemented in the Financial Sector Masterplan, has been the development of the consumer protection framework and the enabling infrastructure to protect consumers' interests while at the same time enhancing consumers’ financial capability to participate effectively in the financial system.“ said Bank Negara Malaysia’s Deputy Governor, Dato’ Mohd Razif Abdul Kadir.

The set up of the regional office in Penang represents AKPK’s continuous effort to ensure that its services are available to a wider segment of the Malaysian population. A total of 5 regional AKPK offices commenced operations on 2 October 2006. In addition to Penang, AKPK had established branch offices in Johor Bahru, Kuala Terengganu, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu.

With the launching of Penang’s branch, members of the public in the northern region can now have access to all the services offered by AKPK at a location, which is nearer and convenient to them. 

AKPK provides eligible individual borrowers assistance in restructuring debts relating to housing loans, hire purchase, credit card, charge card and other personal loans that have been obtained from institutions* regulated by Bank Negara Malaysia. AKPK does not provide any credit facility to customers.

Over 11,000 customers have sought the services of the agency and more than 1,500 customers have been assisted via our Debt Management Program since we started operation in Kuala Lumpur in April 2006. Over 300 customers had sought our services on counselling and debt management in Penang since we commenced operation in October 2006.” said Dato’ Razif.

“The people who approached AKPK for assistance are from all walks of life. In most cases, a combination of ignorance, poor planning and indiscipline led to their financial problems. Many are in debt problems due to one living a lifestyle beyond one’s means. There are also those who have been triggered by unforeseen circumstances like medical problems, death of breadwinner, temporary unemployed due to retrenchments and failure in business.” added Dato’ Razif.

“The Debt Management Program has helped them ease their repayment burdens by making it affordable and help them to get back on track.” said Dato’ Razif.

Individuals who wish to obtain further information about the services of AKPK and its regional offices can contact or visit the following:

AKPK offices at : 

Kuala Lumpur Headquarters

Aras 8, Maju Junction Mall 

1001, Jalan Sultan Ismail 

50250 Kuala Lumpur 

Talian Bebas: 1 800 88 2575

Pulau Pinang 

Agensi Kaunseling Dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) 

Bangunan Bank Negara Malaysia 

27 Corner Light/Pitt Street 

10200 Pulau Pinang 

Tel: 04-2612246

Johor Bahru 

Agensi Kaunseling Dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) 

Bangunan Bank Negara Malaysia 

Jalan Bukit Timbalan 

80720 Johor Bahru 

Tel: 07-2210533

Kuala Terengganu 

Agensi Kaunseling Dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) 

Bangunan Bank Negara Malaysia 

Jalan Sultan Mohamad 

20990 Kuala Terengganu 

Tel: 09-6312797

Kuching 

Agensi Kaunseling Dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) 

Bangunan Bank Negara Malaysia 

Jalan Satok 

93720 Kuching 

Tel: 082-414910

Kota Kinabalu 

Agensi Kaunseling Dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) 

Bangunan Bank Negara Malaysia 

Jalan Dato' Chong Thain Voon 

88813 Kota Kinabalu 

Tel: 088-538355

• AKPK’s website at www.akpk.org.my, or
• Branches of financial service providers nationwide
• All commercial banks, all Islamic banks, all insurance companies, all takaful operators, development financial institutions under the purview of bank Negara Malaysia and credit/charge card issuers under the purview of bank Negara Malaysia.