PETALING JAYA: In the 15 years since Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK) was established by Bank Negara, it has helped almost 1.2 million individuals with financial advisory and assisted 34,000 participants in its debt management programme (DMP) to settle RM1.5bil of debts.

“On the preventive side, nearly seven million Malaysians had benefitted from AKPK’s various financial education interventions since its establishment, ” it said in a statement.

AKPK was part of the Consumer Protection Framework under Bank Negara’s 10-year Financial Sector Masterplan (2000–2010).

It provides three main services including financial education that offers programmes on basic money management skills as well as tips on how to use credit responsibly, financial advisory that provides personal advice on managing finances from budgeting and money management to credit-related issues.

It also provides DMP that offers personalised debt repayment plans in consultation with financial service providers. Last year, AKPK said it was given a new mandate to serve the business community, specifically the small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

“This began with the extension of DMP to sole proprietors, followed by the transfer of the Small Debt Resolution Scheme (SDRS) function from Bank Negara to AKPK, ” it said.

SDRS is an avenue for SMEs to obtain repayment assistance, complementing the efforts of the banking industry to provide relief to distressed SMEs.

This is done through the facilitation of debt repayment arrangement for the SMEs with the banks in an amicable and collective manner, without resorting to legal recourse.

In addition, AKPK said it has launched its Micro Enterprise Help Desk that provides advisory and facilitates repayment assistance for micro enterprises with their banks.

AKPK CEO Azaddin Ngah Tasir said the agency is ready to take up the new mandate and has even put together its new vision and mission to reflect this change.

“Our mission is to empower the community – households and SMEs – to be financially resilient via customer-centric financial education, advisory and debt management services.

“We have set a vision for ourselves to be a trusted and leading authority in financial wellness, empowering a financially resilient society and contributing to national socio-economic goals.”

Johor Bahru: Pelbagai lapisan masyarakat termasuk golongan berpendapatan sederhana hingga profesional tidak terkecuali menjadi 'hamba kad kredit' apabila gagal menggunakannya secara berhemah.

Pengurus Agensi Kaunseling Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) cawangan Johor Bahru, M Gunasegaran berkata, masalah timbul apabila pemilik kad kredit beranggapan ia adalah penyelamat ketika kehabisan wang tunai.

Beliau berkata, dalam situasi berkenaan, mereka akan bergantung sepenuhnya kepada kad kredit bagi kesemua pembelian (kemahuan) atau pembayaran bil utiliti, barangan keperluan, bercuti dan servis kenderaan.

Menurutnya, apabila hanya membayar kadar minimum lima peratus kepada jumlah tertunggak, bebanan pemilik kad kredit akan meningkat.

Katanya, jika ada jumlah tertunggak, ia akan berlipat ganda, misalnya jika terdapat jumlah tertunggak RM1,000 dan pemilik hanya membayar lima peratus, kebiasaannya akan mengambil masa dua tahun untuk selesai.

"Jika tidak mampu membayar penuh, bayar lebih dari lima peratus, mungkin 30 peratus dan jadikan pembayaran untuk menyelesaikan hutang kad kredit sebagai keutamaan.

"Pemilik kad kredit seharusnya bayar semua jumlah penggunaan sebelum tarikh matang bagi mengelakkan caj lewat.

"Ia adalah pinjaman yang mempunyai faedah tertinggi, 18 peratus setahun atau 1.5 peratus sebulan," katanya ketika sesi perkongsian cara penggunaan kad kredit di Kursus Induksi Perniagaan dan Pembangunan Jati Diri anjuran Persatuan Perniagaan India Johor (JIBA) di sini, hari ini.

Hadir sama, Pengerusi JIBA, P Siva Kumar.

Gunasegaran berkata, justeru, semua pemilik kad kredit seharusnya lebih bijak ketika menggunakannya dan mampu menilai antara keperluan dan kehendak.

"Rancang apa yang hendak dibeli terlebih dahulu dan elak pembaziran.

"Sekiranya pembelian dibuat menerusi kad kredit, semak kemampuan untuk membayar balik jumlah yang sudah digunakan.

"Malah elak pengeluaran pendahuluan tunai dari ATM kerana setiap kali pengeluaran tunai, komitmen pinjaman semakin bertambah dan dikenakan caj pengeluaran serta merta dan caj faedah harian," katanya.

KUALA LUMPUR (March 9): 40% of millennials are spending beyond their means, said Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

He said according to Bank Negara Malaysia, 47% of Malaysian youths have high credit card debts. 

"So think thoroughly about what is necessary and prioritise your purchases, whether it’s a new outfit or new phone, or, like what one of my nephews wants, a PS5, and you will find that every ringgit will go a long way.

"Warren Buffett famously said, ‘do not save what is left after spending, but spend what is left after saving’. In other words, pay yourself first and use the power of compounding to your advantage," he said at the Kembara Bijak Wang 2020 (KBW 2020) prize-giving ceremony today.

Tengku Zafrul said, for example, if a twenty-year-old wish to have RM1 million in savings by the time he or she turns 60, assuming an annual return of 6%, he or she would need to save about 500 ringgit per month.

He said according to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), 50% of EPF members have less than RM200,000 in their accounts – lower than the average of RM240,000 that members should have in basic savings, when they reach age 55.

Tengku Zafrul also noted that 50% of contributors would exhaust their savings within five years of their retirement.

"However, with the emergence of the gig economy such as Grab, Foodpanda and Shopee, we have many opportunities and options to earn alternative source of income to enhance our savings.

"In that respect, I am very pleased to see many Malaysians taking up the challenge of starting their own business," he added.

He also advised Malaysian to strengthen their financial literacy skills, be it on growing their wealth via investments or protecting their wealth through insurance or takaful.

"Through events like KBW 2020, the goal of improving the financial wellbeing of Malaysians will become a reality in line with the Malaysian National Strategy for Financial Literacy," Tengku Zafrul said.

He said raising the level of financial literacy is a long-term commitment that requires the sustained efforts and support of many parties.

KBW 2020 is a programme involving 5,600 students from more than 20 institutions of higher learning and 22 UiTM campuses nationwide, co-organised by the Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK), HSBC Malaysia and Universiti Sains Malaysia.

The programme, which began in November last year, aims to boost the participants’ financial awareness, encourage healthy financial habits and ensure they become more resilient, adaptable and financially prepared to face life’s challenges, among others. 

Kuala Lumpur: Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK), menawarkan bantuan bayaran balik bersasar untuk pelanggan Program Pengurusan Kredit (PPK) AKPK yang terjejas banjir.

Dalam kenyataan hari ini, AKPK berkata tawaran itu bagi membantu meringankan beban kewangan mangsa banjir.

"Bantuan bayaran balik ini meliputi penangguhan, atau pengurangan ansuran bulanan PPK, tertakluk kepada permohonan pelanggan dan penilaian AKPK.

"Pelanggan AKPK yang terjejas oleh banjir boleh memohon bantuan bayaran balik secara dalam taliandi http://customer.akpk.org.my/.

"Mereka juga perlu sedia maklum bahawa semua perkhidmatan AKPK adalah percuma dan AKPK tidak pernah melantik mana-mana ejen atau pihak ketiga untuk berurusan bagi pihak AKPK," katanya.

THE Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK) has offered targeted repayment assistance for its Debt Management Programme (DMP) participants who have been affected by the recent floods in several states, to help alleviate their financial burden.

AKPK said the repayment assistance includes postponement of, or lower monthly DMP instalments, subject to customer requests and AKPK’s assessment.

Affected AKPK customers may apply for the repayment assistance online at http://customer.akpk.org.my/.

“Please be informed that all of these services are free and AKPK has never appointed any agents or third party representatives to act on its behalf,” it added.

For more information, please visit AKPK’s website at https://www.akpk.org.my.

KUALA LUMPUR: Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) memperkenalkan Meja Bantuan Perusahaan Mikro bagi terus membantu perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) dan mikro yang terjejas akibat pandemik COVID-19 bermula hari ini.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif AKPK, Azaddin Ngah Tasir, berkata langkah itu juga seiring dengan inisiatif Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) membantu usahawan mikro mendapatkan bantuan pembayaran balik pinjaman. 

Beliau berkata, selain berhubung dengan bank untuk bantuan bayaran balik pinjaman, PKS mikro kini boleh menyalurkan permohonan berkenaan melalui Meja Bantuan Perusahaan Mikro AKPK. 

Katanya, PKS mikro boleh melayari laman web AKPK atau menghubungi pusat panggilan AKPK di talian 03-2616 7766 dari pukul 9 pagi hingga pukul 4 petang (Isnin hingga Jumaat) bagi menetapkan janji temu bersama penasihat kewangan AKPK. 

"Penasihat kewangan AKPK akan memberikan khidmat nasihat bantuan bayaran balik pinjaman secara percuma dan membantu mengemukakan permohonan bagi pihak usahawan mikro kepada institusi perbankan masing-masing," katanya dalam satu kenyataan.

Azaddin berkata, maklumat lanjut mengenai Meja Bantuan Perusahaan Mikro serta perkhidmatan lain yang disediakan oleh AKPK, orang ramai boleh melayari laman web AKPK atau hubungi 03-2616 7766.

KUALA LUMPUR: Pengusaha perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) yang permohonan bantuan pembayaran balik mereka ditolak atau kurang selesa dengan bantuan kewangan yang ditawarkan bank boleh menghubungi Agensi Kaunseling Dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) untuk mendapatkan khidmat nasihat dalam menyusun pelan pembayaran balik yang sesuai.

PKS termasuk PKS mikro yang mempunyai pinjaman daripada pelbagai bank yang berdepan masalah pembayaran balik pinjaman susulan impak negatif COVID-19, juga boleh berjumpa AKPK untuk menguruskan hutang mereka dengan bantuan kewangan yang bersesuaian.

Wakil AKPK, Thomas Tan Koon Peng, berkata agensi di bawah Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) itu mempunyai pelbagai pilihan bantuan pembayaran balik pinjaman ditawarkan kepada PKS .

Beliau berkata, antara pilihan bantuan ialah mengurangkan bayaran ansuran bulanan, melanjutkan tempoh pembayaran balik pinjaman dan mungkin mengubah terma pembiayaan.

Katanya, sejak bulan lalu, AKPK diberi mandat oleh BNM untuk menawarkan penyelesaian khusus bagi membantu PKS, termasuk PKS mikro menerusi Skim Penyelesaian Pinjaman Kecil (SPPK), yang mana agensi itu kini menjadi platform sehenti bagi individu dan PKS mendapatkan perkhidmatan penstrukturan hutang, pendidikan dan khidmat nasihat kewangan.

"Dengan SPPK, AKPK kini menawarkan perkhidmatan penstrukturan hutang dan khidmat nasihat yang lebih cekap dan holistik untuk PKS yang mempunyai pinjaman dengan beberapa bank," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian pada webinar 'Bantuan Bayaran Balik Pinjaman untuk PKS: Masih Belum Terlambat' yang dihoskan oleh Penolong Gabenor Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), Adnan Zaylani Mohamad Zahid.

SPPK ditubuhkan oleh BNM pada 2003 untuk memberikan bantuan kepada PKS yang berdaya maju dalam semua sektor ekonomi yang menghadapi kesukaran dalam membayar balik hutang mereka dengan beberapa institusi kewangan.

Ia adalah platform yang membolehkan institusi kewangan dan PKS mencari jalan penyelesaian dalam pemulihan hutang secara damai dan kolektif tanpa menggunakan saluran undang-undang.

Sejak 2003, SPPK telah membantu lebih 1,200 PKS dengan menjadualkan dan menyusun semula pembiayaan perniagaan yang berjumlah RM1.7 bilion.

Tan berkata, PKS yang menghadapi masalah pembayaran balik pinjaman boleh menghubungi AKPK dengan mengisi borang secara dalam talian di laman web AKPK dan penasihat kewangan akan menghubungi PKS yang berkenaan.

Beliau berkata, perkhidmatan yang ditawarkan AKPK adalah secara percuma.

Sejak ditubuhkan pada 2006, AKPK telah memberikan perkhidmatan kaunseling kepada 1,096,448 individu, dengan sebanyak 342,815 peserta telah memohon masuk ke Program Pengurusan Kredit (PPK).

PETALING JAYA: The Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK) has seen more than 1,000 walk-in inquiries in August seeking advice ahead of the loan moratorium which will cease at the end of the month.

AKPK general manager for the operations division Nor Fazleen Zakaria said the agency also saw 100 enrolments daily in its debt management programme out of the 1,100 daily walk-ins at its 11 branches nationwide.

In July, AKPK had 920 walk-ins while 96 joined its programme on a daily basis.

Nor Fazleen advised people to reassess and recalculate their financial position immediately by checking with their financial institutions on the instalment amounts or rates, post-moratorium.

“Consumers need to ask the banks how their instalments are affected. Go to the banks, don’t just assume everything is fine,” she said

Nor Fazleen added consumers need to reanalyse their financial situation to see if they are able to make the payments, once the moratorium ends.

“There are options available for consumers, they can go to the banks to discuss (the financing repayment assistance) but there are other avenues too.

“If they find the instalment proposals put forward by banks too expensive or if they have multiple borrowings and are not able to consolidate the debts, then they can come to AKPK,” said Nor Fazleen.

She said AKPK welcomes anyone who needs advise on ways to manage their finances and debt.

“Consumers need to take action by either going to the banks to find out their options or come to us. We are an agency under Bank Negara so we have that direct relationship with banks, we are in a position to negotiate for the person.

“Our debt repayment programme is a more holistic form. It takes into account the needs of the person as well as their debts,” she said.

She added that AKPK, which provides counselling and debt management programmes, will look at the consumer’s cash flow and help discuss with the banks.

Nor Fazleen said there are also some people who may have opted for the loan moratorium, although their incomes have not been affected by the pandemic, for some extra cash flow monthly during the period.

She advised that those who had done so should plan ahead as repayment of their instalments will begin in October.

“You can reprioritise now since it is just the first week of September, so you still have a few more weeks to work out your cash flow and be prepared to make the payment,” she said.

She said AKPK has carried out many awareness campaigns in June and July to remind people to get ready to begin their instalment repayments.

Meanwhile, Bernama reported that the value of the moratorium on loan repayments by financial institutions stood at RM78.14bil as of Aug 21.

Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz said that out of this figure, a total of RM27.35bil was utilised by the business sector while RM50.79bil was utilised by the people.This moratorium came into effect on April 1 and ends on Sept 30.

“For those who still need a moratorium extension and targeted bank assistance after Sept 30, the banking institutions are ready to help the borrowers.

“Those who are still affected can start contacting their respective banks to discuss and apply for repayment flexibility,” he said in the 19th LAKSANA report on the implementation of the Prihatin Rakyat Economic Stimulus Package and National Economic Recovery Plan.

On Tuesday, Deputy Finance Minister II Mohd Shahar Abdullah in a statement said most banks had implemented the targeted moratorium extension and financing repayment flexibility programme from Aug 7.

As of Aug 21, the banks have contacted 1,015,848 borrowers, comprising individuals, SMEs and other companies, including corporate and commercial businesses to offer financing repayment assistance.

Shahar said within two weeks beginning Aug 7, a total of 139,424 applications for financing repayment assistance from individual customers were received, of which 109,172 were approved.

For SME customers, including micro-entrepreneurs, 5,017 applications were received, of which 4,300 were approved.

IRA-KIRA 50,000 individu menyerbu pejabat Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) di seluruh negara untuk mendapatkan perkhidmatan pengurusan hutang sejak Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan Pemulihan (PKPP) dilaksanakan, 10 Jun lalu.

Pengurus Besar Bahagian Operasinya Nor Fazleen Zakaria berkata, dianggarkan setiap hari kira-kira 800 pelanggan hadir di pejabat AKPK sepanjang tempoh pelaksanaan PKPP.

Katanya, ia disebabkan mereka terjejas berikutan pandemik Covid-19 dan memerlukan khidmat nasihat kewangan selain bantuan pengurusan untuk bebas daripada belenggu hutang.

"Semua pejabat AKPK memulakan operasi selepas pelaksanaan PKPP diumumkan kerajaan berkuat kuasa 10 Jun lalu," katanya pada sidang media selepas Program Bijak Wang 2.0 dan pelancaran BSN MyFirst, Duit for Baby di Pusat Sains dan Kreativiti Terengganu, Kuala Terengganu, hari ini.

Mengulas jumlah keseluruhan individu yang menggunakan khidmat AKPK sejak agensi itu ditubuhkan pada 2006, Nor Fazleen berkata, sehingga akhir Jun lalu, seramai 1.083 juta individu menghadiri sesi perkhidmatan kaunseling manakala 322,495 lagi memohon untuk menyertai Program Pengurusan Kredit.

KUALA LUMPUR, 23 Jun -- Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) dengan kerjasama Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) hari ini melancarkan kempen ‘Duit for Baby’ bagi memperkenalkan skim simpanan baharunya, BSN MyFirst. 

Ketua Eksekutif BSN, Datuk Yunos Abd Ghani berkata kempen yang berlangsung mulai hari ini sehingga 31 Dis depan, terbuka kepada semua ibu bapa yang membuat simpanan dengan BSN MyFirst untuk anak-anak mereka yang berusia di bawah tujuh tahun. 

"Pelanggan bukan sahaja dapat menikmati kadar keuntungan yang menarik apabila menyimpan dengan BSN MyFirst, malah mereka juga berpeluang memenangi hadiah lumayan apabila menyertai kempen ini," katanya kepada pemberita selepas Majlis Pelancaran Kempen 'Duit for Baby' di Wisma BSN, di sini, hari ini. 

Kempen 'Duit for Baby' dirasmikan oleh Timbalan Ketua Setiausaha (Pengurusan) Kementerian Kesihatan (KKM), Datuk Mohd Shafiq Abdullah. 

Kata Yunos, selain perlu membuka skim simpanan BSN MyFirst, peserta juga boleh menyertai kempen ini dengan mengikut modul kewangan dalam talian yang disediakan AKPK atau menghantar tiga slogan terbaik ke AKPK. 

"Sepuluh ribu peserta pertama yang menyertai BSN MyFirst dalam tempoh berkempen akan menerima hadiah tambahan bernilai RM50 yang akan didepositkan ke dalam akaun BSN MyFirst masing-masing," katanya. 

Pemenang tempat pertama bakal membawa pulang hadiah berupa Sijil Simpanan Premium (SSP) BSN bernilai RM5,000, manakala tempat kedua, SSP bernilai RM3,000 dan tempat ketiga, SSP bernilai RM1,000.

Tiga pemenang bulanan juga akan dipilih sepanjang tempoh kempen untuk membawa pulang hadiah berupa SSP bernilai RM650 untuk tempat pertama, RM500 untuk tempat kedua dan RM300 di tempat ketiga. 

Kempen 'Duit for Baby' turut menerima sokongan daripada KKM yang memberi fokus untuk mendidik ibu bapa muda mengenai perancangan kewangan ketika memulakan keluarga menerusi modul-modul pendidikan kewangan secara dalam talian. 

"Modul-modul ini turut memberi penekanan terhadap belanjawan, aliran tunai, kos melahirkan bayi serta perlindungan dan perancangan untuk pendidikan anak-anak," kata Yunos.

--BERNAMA

PETALING JAYA: The Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK) has never appointed any agents or charged fees for its services.

AKPK Kuching branch head Marlene Margaret Nichol said individuals could approach the agency directly for free financial counselling and debt management services.

“Should anyone be approached by individuals claiming to be an agent of AKPK and offering his or her service for a fee, we would like to alert the public that it is a fake agent who has no authority to act on behalf of AKPK.

“If anyone is in a stressful financial situation (e.g. house auction looming, car due to be repossessed), do not believe third parties who claim to represent AKPK with a promise to solve your problems for a fee.

“This is a scam, ” said Marlene in a statement yesterday.

“The agency under Bank Negara Malaysia provides financial education, counselling and debt management services without charge, ” she said, adding that AKPK had received many reports from customers being approached by individuals claiming to be the agency’s representatives or agents.

She said some customers had checked with the agency, but some ended up being scammed.

“It’s a double whammy for our customers who are already in debt, yet are misled into paying a few thousand ringgit as service fees to these third parties.

“Instead of paying the scammers, they could have used the money to pay down their debts, ” she said.

Marlene cited the case of a customer who was scammed after he received an SMS advising him to take a personal loan to fully settle his outstanding credit card balances.

After obtaining the personal loan and settling his credit card balances, the man applied for a higher credit limit from the bank with the help of an “agent” who assisted him to write a letter.

The said application was approved and the man then maxed out his credit card limit.

“The ‘agent’ then helped him to apply to AKPK to enrol in the Debt Management Programme, telling him that this is a special loan from Bank Negara.

“The victim paid almost RM20,000 to the agent in fees for his ‘service’, ” said Marlene.

She advised the public to be wary of calls or messages purportedly from bank officials or other agencies and institutions.

The public can visit www.akpk.org.my for assistance or updates.

KOTA BHARU - Hampir 53 peratus rakyat Malaysia berdepan tekanan menguruskan kewangan terutama dalam tempoh Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan (PKP) ini.

Ketua Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) Cawangan Kelantan, Mohd Rizauddin Noor berkata, peratusan tersebut diperoleh daripada tinjauan khas Jabatan Statistik Malaysia membabitkan kesan selepas Covid-19 ke atas ekonomi dan individu di Malaysia.

Tinjauan juga katanya, sebanyak 71 peratus rakyat yang bekerja sendiri menyatakan simpanan kewangan yang mereka ada cukup untuk satu bulan sahaja.

"Bagaimanapun, kami menasihatkan supaya tidak panik kerana inilah masa terbaik untuk merancang pelan belanjawan yang sistematik sendirian atau bersama pasangan," katanya kepada Sinar Harian di sini hari ini.

Menurutnya, masyarakat disaran memastikan setiap perbelanjaan dirancang mengikut kemampuan aliran tunai semasa isi rumah dan perlu mengelakkan pembaziran.

Mohd Rizauddin memberitahu, orang ramai perlu menangguhkan kehendak ketika berdepan dengan krisis kewangan.

"Banyak lagi yang boleh lakukan untuk merancang kewangan dengan lebih baik. Mereka boleh melayari modul pembelajaran dalam talian iaitu Mengharungi Cabaran di power.akpk.org.my.

"Ikuti pembelajaran atas talian ini untuk melihat bagaimana kita boleh menyediakan diri bagi menghadapi situasi yang genting," katanya.

KUALA TERENGGANU – Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) tidak pernah melantik sebarang ejen dalam memberi nasihat kewangan dan semua perkhidmatan ditawarkan agensi itu kepada individu adalah percuma.

Ketua Cawangan AKPK Kuala Terengganu, Junainah Ahmad Esa berkata, penangguhan bayaran bulanan hutang selama enam bulan sama ada oleh AKPK atau institusi kewangan juga adalah secara automatik dan tidak melibatkan mana-mana pihak ketiga.

“Justeru, jangan terpedaya dengan mana-mana pihak yang sentiasa mengambil kesempatan ke atas golongan yang alpa dan tidak berwaspada,” katanya kepada Sinar Harian di sini hari ini.

Menurutnya, walaupun 11 pejabat cawangan AKPK seluruh negara ditutup selaras dengan Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan (PKP), orang ramai yang ingin mendapatkan perkhidmatan agensi itu boleh mengisi borang Google di internet melalui capaian http://bit.ly/AKPKdmp2020 dan pegawai AKPK akan menghubungi pelanggan dalam masa terdekat.

Junainah berkata, AKPK telah meluluskan 1,242 permohonan penjadualan semula pinjaman di bawah Program Pengurusan Kredit AKPK (PPK) di seluruh negara sepanjang tempoh pelaksanaan PKP bermula 18 Mac 2020 sehingga 10 April 2020 lalu.

“Sebanyak 11,142 pertanyaan telah diajukan kepada AKPK melalui internet dan menerima 10,810 panggilan telefon sepanjang tempoh PKP dan majoriti soalan adalah berkaitan penangguhan bayaran bulanan,” katanya.

Sementara itu, beliau turut meminta orang ramai belanja secara berhemah sebagai persediaan menghadapi sebarang kemungkinan sepanjang tempoh krisis koronavirus (Covid-19) seperti pemotongan gaji, elaun atau perberhentian kerja.

Menurut Junainah, ketidakpastian tempoh sebenar PKP akan berakhir juga menjadi cabaran besar bagi mereka yang bekerja sendiri.

"Masyarakat dinasihatkan supaya menilai semula kedudukan kewangan terkini dan operasi perniagaan selain mengambil langkah segera untuk memastikan perniagaan berada di landasan lebih baik.

“Bagi penerima bantuan khas Covid-19 seperti skim Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (BPN), gunakanlah wang itu dengan cermat dan hanya membeli barangan keperluan asas sahaja seperti makanan, bayaran sewa rumah dan bil utiliti,” katanya.

KUALA LUMPUR: Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) memberi penangguhan pembayaran kepada semua pelanggan Program Pengurusan Kredit (PPK) selama enam bulan bermula April ini.

Jabatan Komunikasi Korporat AKPK, berkata penangguhan yang selaras dengan pengumuman Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) membolehkan pelanggan PPK menangguhkan bayaran sehingga September 2020.

“Pemberian penangguhan pembayaran ini adalah automatik dan pelanggan tidak perlu membuat sebarang permohonan.

“Bagaimanapun pelanggan turut digalakkan untuk membuat pembayaran PPK seperti biasa sekiranya ingin berbuat demikian.

“Sebarang pembayaran PPK yang diterima akan disalurkan kepada institusi kewangan berkaitan,” katanya.

Untuk sebarang pertanyaan boleh mengisi borang atas talian menerusi pautan http://bit.ly/AKPKdmp2020.

BAGI mengatasi masalah kemiskinan terutamanya kumpulan B40, kerajaan melancarkan Program Sinergi Sosial dan Sistem MySynergy, hari ini.

Timbalan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail berkata, objektif utama program itu adalah bagi meningkatkan pendapatan dan mengurangkan kadar kemiskinan di negara ini.

“Melalui sistem jaringan keselamatan sosial yang disediakan oleh berbagai kementerian, jabatan dan agensi dalam negara, Kerajaan akan memastikan rakyat khasnya daripada kumpulan B40 yang benar-benar memerlukan pertolongan tidak tercicir daripada senarai mendapat bantuan.

“Contohnya, individu yang tidak layak untuk menerima faedah PERKESO, akan dirujuk ke jabatan atau agensi lain yang boleh memberikan bantuan sekiranya memenuhi kriteria ditetapkan,” katanya ketika berucap di Kuala Lumpur, hari ini.

Turut hadir, Menteri Sumber Manusia M Kula Segaran.

Menurutnya, program itu juga bakal mewujudkan horizon baharu dalam kualiti sistem penyampaian perkhidmatan yang ditawarkan agensi penyedia manfaat keselamatan sosial di seluruh negara.

“Menerusinya juga, pertindihan penerimaan manfaat dapat dielakkan dan penyebaran manfaat dapat diagihkan hanya kepada yang benar-benar layak,” katanya.

Wan Azizah berkata, Program Sinergi Sosial dibina atas jaminan bahawa ia tidak akan menganggu akta, peraturan, dan dasar bagi agensi yang menyertainya.

“Sebaliknya, program ini secara tidak langsung boleh mengurangkan bebanan

tugas dan juga implikasi kehabisan dana beberapa agensi yang terbabit.

“Paling penting, program ini didaftarkan dan dilindungi di bawah Akta Perlindungan Data Peribadi (PDPA) selain

mendapat pengesahan hakcipta daripada Perbadanan Pengurusan Harta Intelek (MyiPO),” katanya.

Terdahulu, Kula dalam ucapannya berkata, program itu disertai oleh 17 rakan strategik PERKESO.

Antaranya adalah, Agensi Kaunseling & Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK), Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), Giat Mara, Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM), Majlis Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan (MAIWP), Majlis Agama Islam Negeri Perak (MAIPk), Majlis Agama Islam Melaka (MAIM), Perbadanan Baitulmal Negeri Sembilan (PBNS), Jabatan Tenaga Kerja Semenanjung Malaysia (JTKSM), Tekun Nasional, Malaysian Freelancer Association (MAFA), Islamic Relief Malaysia (IRM), Mental Illnes Awereness & Support Association (MIASA), Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia (PPIM), Pertubuhan Skuad Pengurusan Jenazah Malaysia (SPJM) dan Muslim Volunteer Malaysia (MVM).

SANDAKAN, Oct 14 -- Bank Negara Malaysia's (BNM) Financial Carnival over the weekend here has attracted nearly 10,000 visitors.

Its assistant governor, Abu Hassan Alshari Yahaya said the overwhelming response from the community indicates that the carnival was relevant in improving financial literacy among the people of Sabah.

Hence, the central bank plans to organise the carnival here again, he said in a statement today.

"The carnival complements the ongoing efforts by BNM and Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency in promoting financial literacy among the people throughout the country.

"In line with the National Financial Literacy Strategy 2019-2023, the Financial Carnival is one of the initiatives carried out by BNM to increase public’s access to financial knowledge, products and services, as well as educate them on the importance of prudent financial management,” he said.

Launched by Sabah State Secretary Datuk Hashim Paijan, the two-day carnival recorded more than 1,400 financial transactions amounting to about RM18.5 million.

The inaugural carnival in Sabah's east coast attracted not only the residents of Sandakan, but also those from nearby districts such as Beluran, Kinabatangan and Tongod.

Themed "Your Financial Needs Matters", the carnival aimed at raising the public’s awareness on financial products and services, financial literacy and financial management capabilities with an emphasis on preferences of the local communities.

More than 35 organisations, consisting of financial service providers, as well as federal and state agencies showcased their products and services, as well as provide advisory on financial matters, including access to financing.

Several companies in collaboration with the Sabah Labour Department conducted open interview sessions for more than 350 vacancies.

Forums and interactive financial education sessions were also held, while the Royal Malaysian Police, Eastern Sabah Security Command and Royal Malaysian Navy provided briefing sessions on public security in Sandakan.

-- BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR: The Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK), in collaboration with the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN), has come up with an online pre-marriage module known as ‘’I Do You Do Duit Together’’ to help potential brides and bridegrooms to manage their finances after marriage.

Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Hannah Yeoh said most newly-wed couples faced financial problems due to poor management of their finances.

She said this was apart from them refusing to listen to advice and ashamed to admit their debts that many found themselves in dire financial situation, leading them to live under the poverty level.

“Through the ‘I Do You Do Duit Together’ pre-marriage programme and module, we hope to provide advice and guidance on financial management to couples.

“It is an interactive online module where the couples only need to answer the questions provided at any time of their choice. The answers provided can be used as guidance for them to manage their finances after they are married,” she told reporters after launching the module here today.

She said the module could be accessed at the AKPK’s website at https://learn.akpk.org.my/courses/i-do-you-do-duit.

“So, potential brides and bridegrooms, they do not have to go anywhere to get financial advice. It’s all done online,” she added.

Yeoh said the online pre-marriage module was also aimed at educating potential brides and bridegrooms to understand their financial position and to not waste their money on wedding preparations to avoid being burdened with marriage debts.

Meanwhile, AKPK chief executive officer Azzaddin Ngah Tasir said a series of competitions will be held for 10 months beginning today for those who join the module.

Participants are only required to submit attractive slogans for the module, and to participate in the contest, they have to provide the certificate number of their module which they will be given after they have answered all the questions, he added. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR 6 Sept. - Setiap individu perlu mempunyai perancangan persaraan sejak memulakan alam pekerjaan, kata Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK).

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutifnya Azaddin Ngah Tasir berkata, berdasarkan kajian Bank Negara Malaysia tahun lepas, kira-kira 57 peratus rakyat Malaysia memahami pentingnya kewangan yang stabil.

“Namun, kami yakin masih ada ruang untuk mendidik anak muda, terutama mengenai cara menambung, yang boleh dilakukan berdasarkan kadar perbelanjaan. Masih ramai yang tidak mempunyai simpanan yang mencukupi selepas persaraan,” katanya selepas melancarkan Inisiatif DuitSmart Hong Leong Bank, di sini hari ini.

Beliau berkata program pengurusan hutang agensi itu mencatatkan peningkatan dari segi minat orang ramai untuk mengetahui secara mendalam kaedah yang perlu dilakukan untuk mendapat skor kredit yang baik.

“Kita menerima kira-kira 10,000 hingga 15,000 individu dari seluruh negara yang datang untuk mendapatkan khidmat nasihat. Ini satu perkara yang memberangsangkan kerana kami di AKPK akan membantu untuk mengelak seseorang itu daripada jatuh muflis,” katanya.

Mengenai harapan dalam Belanjawan 2020, beliau berharap kerajaan dapat menjadikan pendidikan kewangan sebagai mata pelajaran wajib di sekolah rendah sehingga ke universiti.

“Kita mengalami masalah kewangan sepanjang masa. Oleh itu, semua orang perlu memahami pentingnya kestabilan kewangan untuk masa depan,” katanya.

Pada majlis itu, Hong Leong Bank (HLB), AKPK and Universiti Malaya melancarkan inisiatif DuitSmart HLB dengan matlamat untuk mengukuhkan literasi kewangan.

Pengarah Urusan yang juga Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Kumpulan HLB, Domenic Fuda berkata, berdasarkan kajian yang dijalankan dengan kerjasama iMoney 75 peratus daripada responden meletakkan tahap pengetahuan mengenai kewangan pada paras rendah hingga sederhana dan 68 peratus percaya secara umumnya mereka tidak mempunyai simpanan yang mencukupi.

“Kebanyakan orang menganggap pengetahuan kewangan bermakna mengetahui cara menyimpan dan mengurus pinjaman. sedangkan ia lebih daripada itu.

“Lagi cepat konsep itu difahami, lebih cepat kita dapat menanam amalan kewangan bertanggungjawab yang akan meningkatkan kebebasan kewangan pada masa depan,” katanya.

HLB DuitSmart akan mengira dan menyediakan maklumat mengenai pengetahuan kewangan secara dalam talian, selain membolehkan rakyat Malaysia menyemak skor kredit masing-masing, menerusi usaha sama dengan iMoney mulai hari ini hingga akhir bulan.- BERNAMA

Only 24% can survive up to 3 months with own savings and only 10% can remain unemployed within 6 months

By AZREEN HANI / Pic By HUSSEIN SHAHARUDDIN

FIFTY percent of Malaysians admitted to having difficulties to raise RM1,000 for emergencies. One in five working adults said they did not save in the past six months. Three in 10 individuals have to borrow money to buy basic needs.

Many are burdened with huge debts. Cases of loan defaults have been a concern with thousands have been declared bankrupt.

If these statistics are not worrying enough, according to a Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK) survey last year, only 24% could survive up to three months with their own savings and only 10% could remain unemployed within six months.

If these gloomy figures do not rock the concerns of many Malaysians, the police’s recent announcement that Malaysia lost up to RM2 billion annually due to telecommunications scams and e-commerce frauds would make many stand up.

The widespread incidents of such thefts and how easily victims are duped by these criminals have triggered alarm bells on the susceptibility of the public to such cons.

Many have lost their life savings to promises of fast cash and instant wealth despite repeated warnings by the authorities.

To address the problem, the government has initiated the National Strategy for Financial Literacy 2019-2023, a framework aimed to improve financial literacy across all segments of the society.

According to studies by the OECD International Network on Financial Education, AKPK and the Malaysian Financial Planning Council between 2015 and 2018, the financial literacy level among Malaysians has yet to reach a satisfactory standard.

The AKPK Financial Behaviour Survey 2018 — which focused on the financial behaviour of Malaysian working adults in terms of their spending, savings and debt management — also revealed that there are areas which need to be enhanced for Malaysians’ financial wellbeing.

“It is important for us to promote good money management among the public. It’s our mandate to make prudent financial management a way of life,” AKPK GM for the operations division Nor Fazleen Zakaria (picture) told The Malaysian Reserve.

Nor Fazleen said Malaysians in general know they are supposed to budget, manage their finances and be disciplined in terms of lifestyle.

She said what is worrying is some individuals are not planning their finances and are buying too frequently.

“I know in this age and time there are many distractions and the desire to keep up with the lifestyle, but ultimately, you have to decide whether your purchase will impact you financially or not.

“What’s concerning is the fact that sometimes people just don’t plan at all. That’s wrong. That behaviour is something we (AKPK) want to correct and inculcate since young,” she said.

National Strategy for Financial Literacy

The National Strategy for financial literacy launched by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad last month outlines five main plans to equip Malaysians with the knowledge to make informed financial decisions and nurture healthy attitudes in financial management.

Dr Mahathir said the National Strategy supports the government’s aspiration for shared prosperity by ensuring that Malaysians are empowered with the right knowledge and skills to confidently make responsible financial decisions at every stage of their life.

“It is imperative that financial education is accessible to Malaysians across all ages and life stages, and this can only be achieved by working together,” he said.

Financial Education Network co-chairs, Bank Negara Malaysia governor Datuk Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus and Securities Commission Malaysia chairman Datuk Syed Zaid Albar, stressed that improving financial literacy across all segments of society requires a systematic, sustained and coordinated approach that focuses on engendering long-term behavioural change.

“The call to action to enable Malaysians to better cope with greater uncertainty and financial complexity has never been timelier. We all play a crucial role in promoting the financial literacy and capability of current and future generations,” they said.

With the strategy, Nor Fazleen said AKPK will be able to leverage on its partners to conduct more outreach programmes as they are tasked to focus on financial education for adults.

“The strategy provides a structured framework on what we need to do, the type of reach we can aim for and what kind of messages we are sending out to the public,” she explained.

“We do a lot of outreach programmes with government agencies and universities — and as the Education Ministry is also involved, we can work together to ensure that not only students, but educators (too) would be equipped with good financial skills, so it can be taught to the young as well.”

Why Financial Literacy Matters

According to the National Strategy, financially literate individuals make informed financial decisions throughout their life and lead to sustained improvements in their standard of living.

Financially capable households interact responsibly with financial service providers, which in turn builds financial resilience.

The rise in cases of bankruptcy among working adults — especially around the ages of 25-40 — is something that could be prevented, said Nor Fazleen.

“At this age, having financial literacy is a living skill not only for the young, but also older generations,” she stressed.

“For AKPK, we offer a financial education programme that is designed and catered to all life stages, from young to retirement age. Apart from that, we offer counselling and debt management programmes as well, especially to those who are facing financial problems,” she said.

For example, AKPK’s module for tertiary education focuses on preparation for graduates before entering the workforce. Meanwhile for working adults, the module encompasses the right types of investments and how to boost their retirement portfolio, among others.

“That’s why acquiring literacy is a continuous process. What more with various challenges each day,” Nor Fazleen said.

Nor Fazleen noted that despite various campaigns and the authorities’ warnings on financial scams, many including professionals still fall victim due to the lack of awareness and inevitable skills to face it.

“It is alarming that those scam activities target people who are close to or in retirement age because they have a certain amount of savings in the EPF (Employees Provident Fund),” she said.

She reminded the public to not be deceived by those who claim to be AKPK agents.

“We are doing our services for free, so please do not engage third party agents. Sometimes, they have your data and ask (for) 10% out of your outstanding loans.

“AKPK does not look for customers, one should engage with us and we will provide our consultations and services for free,” she added.

Malaysians’ Financial Behaviour

AKPK’s financial behaviour survey on Malaysian working adults also revealed that financial behaviour is at 7.02 points out of 10 points, which is rather satisfactory.

However, for the wellbeing index, the survey showed Malaysians only scored 6.21 points.

“It is not something that we should be satisfied (with), although it means we are okay, we have to empower ourselves more,” said Nor Fazleen.

Financial problems is cited as one of the contributors to bad wellbeing.

“We don’t want to have bad wellbeing just because we are not managing our money well.

“Interestingly, we found that people with a lower income are happier despite the cost of living,” she said The survey also found that high pay does not necessarily correlate with happiness.

“Even though your pay is meagre, if you are not prone to any lifestyle issues or live within your means, you tend to score better in the wellbeing index. Wellbeing does not mean you have to make more, but (it’s) how you manage it,” she said.

The other aspect of financial wellbeing is debt management. According to Nor Fazleen, one with a higher pay would still have financial problems if the person tends to over-borrow, compared to someone who has lesser pay, but with limited debt.

“It is important that as a consumer, we are empowered, we know what is right or what is wrong, and we make the right financial decision.

“To be empowered, we need knowledge. So, seek knowledge — because AKPK has it when it comes to financial literacy. Everybody has to play a role, individually. The employers and the ecosystem should be supported too,” she said.