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PERKESO lancar Program Sinergi...
Aug 08, 2018 | BernamaOnline

Socso launches Social Synergy...
Aug 08, 2018 | TheSunDaily

Improve your financial knowled...
Jul 23, 2018 | BernamaOnline

NEWS

Posted at Jun 07, 2018

KUALA LUMPUR: Shopping for Hari Raya has never seemed more exciting now that the 6% Goods and Services Tax (GST) has been zero-rated and consumers have higher purchasing power.

Shoppers, however, are advised to keep their spending in check as unbridled extravagance will only lead to financial constraints later.

“There’s a tendency for people to be attracted to sales offers and to go overboard with their spending. They use their credit cards and take personal loans, which are all non-productive,” said the Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency’s Kuala Terengganu branch manager Junainah Ahmad Esa.

Some people also take a salary advance for their Hari Raya preparations, which would be deducted from their subsequent salaries until they have settled the advance payment in full.

Pointing to the importance of working out a realistic budget for festive spending, Junainah said the quantum should be determined earlier so as not to disrupt the overall expenditure for the month in which the festival falls.

For people who face budget constraints, Junainah said they should give priority to spending on necessities and not spend as they wished.

“Yes, there’s bound to be extra expenditure during the festive season but one shouldn’t ignore the importance of setting aside some money as savings.

“By right, 10% of one’s income should be saved every month for a rainy day,” she added.

Consumers can be smart shoppers and get the latest updates on discounts and promotions.

“Also, compare prices at various shopping complexes,” said Junainah.

Homemaker Nur Hasmila Hassan, 48, said priority was always given to settling the household bills and expenses like road tax for the car before setting aside money for celebrations like Hari Raya.

The mother of four is careful with her Hari Raya spending because her husband, who works in the private sector, is the family’s sole breadwinner.

“Although the GST for goods is now zero-rated, I still think how to stretch the ringgit further.

“Our children are still studying, so we have to manage our family finances wisely. We shouldn’t use Hari Raya as an excuse to buy all kinds of new things and spend beyond our means,” Nur Hasmila said.

“Something new does not necessarily have to be expensive, it all goes down to the basics of how we spend our money.” — Bernama

Spend wisely, shoppers told

NEWS

Posted at Jun 07, 2018

KUALA LUMPUR: Shopping for Hari Raya has never seemed more exciting now that the 6% Goods and Services Tax (GST) has been zero-rated and consumers have higher purchasing power.

Shoppers, however, are advised to keep their spending in check as unbridled extravagance will only lead to financial constraints later.

“There’s a tendency for people to be attracted to sales offers and to go overboard with their spending. They use their credit cards and take personal loans, which are all non-productive,” said the Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency’s Kuala Terengganu branch manager Junainah Ahmad Esa.

Some people also take a salary advance for their Hari Raya preparations, which would be deducted from their subsequent salaries until they have settled the advance payment in full.

Pointing to the importance of working out a realistic budget for festive spending, Junainah said the quantum should be determined earlier so as not to disrupt the overall expenditure for the month in which the festival falls.

For people who face budget constraints, Junainah said they should give priority to spending on necessities and not spend as they wished.

“Yes, there’s bound to be extra expenditure during the festive season but one shouldn’t ignore the importance of setting aside some money as savings.

“By right, 10% of one’s income should be saved every month for a rainy day,” she added.

Consumers can be smart shoppers and get the latest updates on discounts and promotions.

“Also, compare prices at various shopping complexes,” said Junainah.

Homemaker Nur Hasmila Hassan, 48, said priority was always given to settling the household bills and expenses like road tax for the car before setting aside money for celebrations like Hari Raya.

The mother of four is careful with her Hari Raya spending because her husband, who works in the private sector, is the family’s sole breadwinner.

“Although the GST for goods is now zero-rated, I still think how to stretch the ringgit further.

“Our children are still studying, so we have to manage our family finances wisely. We shouldn’t use Hari Raya as an excuse to buy all kinds of new things and spend beyond our means,” Nur Hasmila said.

“Something new does not necessarily have to be expensive, it all goes down to the basics of how we spend our money.” — Bernama

Jun 07, 2018 | TheStarOnline

NEWS

Posted at Jun 07, 2018

KUALA LUMPUR: Shopping for Hari Raya has never seemed more exciting now that the 6% Goods and Services Tax (GST) has been zero-rated and consumers have higher purchasing power.

Shoppers, however, are advised to keep their spending in check as unbridled extravagance will only lead to financial constraints later.

“There’s a tendency for people to be attracted to sales offers and to go overboard with their spending. They use their credit cards and take personal loans, which are all non-productive,” said the Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency’s Kuala Terengganu branch manager Junainah Ahmad Esa.

Some people also take a salary advance for their Hari Raya preparations, which would be deducted from their subsequent salaries until they have settled the advance payment in full.

Pointing to the importance of working out a realistic budget for festive spending, Junainah said the quantum should be determined earlier so as not to disrupt the overall expenditure for the month in which the festival falls.

For people who face budget constraints, Junainah said they should give priority to spending on necessities and not spend as they wished.

“Yes, there’s bound to be extra expenditure during the festive season but one shouldn’t ignore the importance of setting aside some money as savings.

“By right, 10% of one’s income should be saved every month for a rainy day,” she added.

Consumers can be smart shoppers and get the latest updates on discounts and promotions.

“Also, compare prices at various shopping complexes,” said Junainah.

Homemaker Nur Hasmila Hassan, 48, said priority was always given to settling the household bills and expenses like road tax for the car before setting aside money for celebrations like Hari Raya.

The mother of four is careful with her Hari Raya spending because her husband, who works in the private sector, is the family’s sole breadwinner.

“Although the GST for goods is now zero-rated, I still think how to stretch the ringgit further.

“Our children are still studying, so we have to manage our family finances wisely. We shouldn’t use Hari Raya as an excuse to buy all kinds of new things and spend beyond our means,” Nur Hasmila said.

“Something new does not necessarily have to be expensive, it all goes down to the basics of how we spend our money.” — Bernama

AKPK bantu 750,959 hadapi masa...
May 28, 2018 | UtusanMalaysiaOnline

NEWS

Posted at May 03, 2018

THE more common types of investments available in the financial market place are detailled below :

Cash and fixed interest investments

Cash investments are the most common form of investment in Malaysia, covering products such as bank savings accounts and fixed deposits. They provide easy access to your money when you need it, and there is no chance you could lose any capital – so they are very secure.

However, while they do offer security, they usually provide very little income and no capital growth. Actually, they can be quite risky in the long-term because inflation erodes the value of your investments.

For most investors, cash and fixed interest products are suitable for use as a transaction account, Keeping cash in hand for short-term expenses and emergencies, and short-term savings where they cannot afford any risk to their capital.

Shares

Shares (also known as equities or stocks) represent ownership in a company. When you buy a share, you become a part-owner in the company and become entitled to share in its future value and profits.

Shares in a company offer growth to investors in two key ways: As the overall value of the company increases, the value of the shares also increases, and you can earn dividends when the company chooses to pay part of its profits to shareholders as income payment

Shares have the potential to generate very high returns. However, they also have the potential to fall in value if the company’s performance drops.

Shares are generally suitable for investors who want to build a nest egg for medium and long-term financial goals Have a longer investment time-frame.

Ideally, it is also for investors who are comfortable with some volatility in their investment value over the short-term, in exchange for higher returns in the long-term (in terms of dividend income and capital gain).

Unit trust funds

In a unit trust, money from hundreds of individual investors are pooled together to buy a large number of different assets. Professional fund managers decide what percentage of the fund should be invested in each asset class, and also which countries, industries and companies have the best prospects for good returns.

Each investor then receives ‘units’ in the fund, with each unit representing a mix of all the underlying assets such as shares, bonds and fixed deposits.

Unit trust funds are an ideal option for people who are new to investing; happy to outsource the selection of investments to professional managers; having small initial amount to invest; and seeking investment diversification to minimise risk.

Property

Property is one asset class that most Malaysians are familiar with. Property investment offers value to investors in two ways:

Increase in capital value over time as house and land prices rise

Earn rental income from tenants.

Like shares, property prices go up and down and have periods of sustained high returns and sustained low returns, so property is generally only suitable as a long-term investment. One of the most important factors to consider when buying property is its location.

Property is generally suitable for investors who have no requirement for ‘emergency’ access to their money A long-term investment time-frame, as well as investors who have the ability to meet mortgage repayments if interest rates rise or if the property is not being rented.

Bonds

When you buy a government or corporate bond, you are ‘lending’ your money for a certain period at a predetermined interest rate. In return, you receive a steady income stream through regular interest payments.

Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT)

This is similar to a unit trust except that the investments are in property and real estate. The profits from such investments are passed on to investors in the form of dividends.

The Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK) is an agency under Bank Negara Malaysia tasked to help individuals take control of their financial situation. For assistance, please contact AKPK’s Power Infoline at 03-26167766 or visit www.akpk.org.my.

Types of investments in the ma...

NEWS

Posted at May 03, 2018

THE more common types of investments available in the financial market place are detailled below :

Cash and fixed interest investments

Cash investments are the most common form of investment in Malaysia, covering products such as bank savings accounts and fixed deposits. They provide easy access to your money when you need it, and there is no chance you could lose any capital – so they are very secure.

However, while they do offer security, they usually provide very little income and no capital growth. Actually, they can be quite risky in the long-term because inflation erodes the value of your investments.

For most investors, cash and fixed interest products are suitable for use as a transaction account, Keeping cash in hand for short-term expenses and emergencies, and short-term savings where they cannot afford any risk to their capital.

Shares

Shares (also known as equities or stocks) represent ownership in a company. When you buy a share, you become a part-owner in the company and become entitled to share in its future value and profits.

Shares in a company offer growth to investors in two key ways: As the overall value of the company increases, the value of the shares also increases, and you can earn dividends when the company chooses to pay part of its profits to shareholders as income payment

Shares have the potential to generate very high returns. However, they also have the potential to fall in value if the company’s performance drops.

Shares are generally suitable for investors who want to build a nest egg for medium and long-term financial goals Have a longer investment time-frame.

Ideally, it is also for investors who are comfortable with some volatility in their investment value over the short-term, in exchange for higher returns in the long-term (in terms of dividend income and capital gain).

Unit trust funds

In a unit trust, money from hundreds of individual investors are pooled together to buy a large number of different assets. Professional fund managers decide what percentage of the fund should be invested in each asset class, and also which countries, industries and companies have the best prospects for good returns.

Each investor then receives ‘units’ in the fund, with each unit representing a mix of all the underlying assets such as shares, bonds and fixed deposits.

Unit trust funds are an ideal option for people who are new to investing; happy to outsource the selection of investments to professional managers; having small initial amount to invest; and seeking investment diversification to minimise risk.

Property

Property is one asset class that most Malaysians are familiar with. Property investment offers value to investors in two ways:

Increase in capital value over time as house and land prices rise

Earn rental income from tenants.

Like shares, property prices go up and down and have periods of sustained high returns and sustained low returns, so property is generally only suitable as a long-term investment. One of the most important factors to consider when buying property is its location.

Property is generally suitable for investors who have no requirement for ‘emergency’ access to their money A long-term investment time-frame, as well as investors who have the ability to meet mortgage repayments if interest rates rise or if the property is not being rented.

Bonds

When you buy a government or corporate bond, you are ‘lending’ your money for a certain period at a predetermined interest rate. In return, you receive a steady income stream through regular interest payments.

Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT)

This is similar to a unit trust except that the investments are in property and real estate. The profits from such investments are passed on to investors in the form of dividends.

The Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK) is an agency under Bank Negara Malaysia tasked to help individuals take control of their financial situation. For assistance, please contact AKPK’s Power Infoline at 03-26167766 or visit www.akpk.org.my.

May 03, 2018 | BorneoPostOnline

NEWS

Posted at May 03, 2018

THE more common types of investments available in the financial market place are detailled below :

Cash and fixed interest investments

Cash investments are the most common form of investment in Malaysia, covering products such as bank savings accounts and fixed deposits. They provide easy access to your money when you need it, and there is no chance you could lose any capital – so they are very secure.

However, while they do offer security, they usually provide very little income and no capital growth. Actually, they can be quite risky in the long-term because inflation erodes the value of your investments.

For most investors, cash and fixed interest products are suitable for use as a transaction account, Keeping cash in hand for short-term expenses and emergencies, and short-term savings where they cannot afford any risk to their capital.

Shares

Shares (also known as equities or stocks) represent ownership in a company. When you buy a share, you become a part-owner in the company and become entitled to share in its future value and profits.

Shares in a company offer growth to investors in two key ways: As the overall value of the company increases, the value of the shares also increases, and you can earn dividends when the company chooses to pay part of its profits to shareholders as income payment

Shares have the potential to generate very high returns. However, they also have the potential to fall in value if the company’s performance drops.

Shares are generally suitable for investors who want to build a nest egg for medium and long-term financial goals Have a longer investment time-frame.

Ideally, it is also for investors who are comfortable with some volatility in their investment value over the short-term, in exchange for higher returns in the long-term (in terms of dividend income and capital gain).

Unit trust funds

In a unit trust, money from hundreds of individual investors are pooled together to buy a large number of different assets. Professional fund managers decide what percentage of the fund should be invested in each asset class, and also which countries, industries and companies have the best prospects for good returns.

Each investor then receives ‘units’ in the fund, with each unit representing a mix of all the underlying assets such as shares, bonds and fixed deposits.

Unit trust funds are an ideal option for people who are new to investing; happy to outsource the selection of investments to professional managers; having small initial amount to invest; and seeking investment diversification to minimise risk.

Property

Property is one asset class that most Malaysians are familiar with. Property investment offers value to investors in two ways:

Increase in capital value over time as house and land prices rise

Earn rental income from tenants.

Like shares, property prices go up and down and have periods of sustained high returns and sustained low returns, so property is generally only suitable as a long-term investment. One of the most important factors to consider when buying property is its location.

Property is generally suitable for investors who have no requirement for ‘emergency’ access to their money A long-term investment time-frame, as well as investors who have the ability to meet mortgage repayments if interest rates rise or if the property is not being rented.

Bonds

When you buy a government or corporate bond, you are ‘lending’ your money for a certain period at a predetermined interest rate. In return, you receive a steady income stream through regular interest payments.

Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT)

This is similar to a unit trust except that the investments are in property and real estate. The profits from such investments are passed on to investors in the form of dividends.

The Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK) is an agency under Bank Negara Malaysia tasked to help individuals take control of their financial situation. For assistance, please contact AKPK’s Power Infoline at 03-26167766 or visit www.akpk.org.my.

700,000 rakyat Malaysia dapatk...
Apr 05, 2018 | SinarHarianOnline

28,000 mendaftar dengan AKPK
Apr 04, 2018 | UtusanOnline

Kurang pengetahuan urus kewang...
Mar 28, 2018 | HarianMetroOnline

NEWS

Posted at Feb 08, 2018

8 February 2018 - HARDLY a day passes without newspapers publishing classifieds on bankruptcy cases.

Between 2013 and 2017, over 100,000 individuals were made bankrupts. The statistics become grimmer if we take into account that 34% of them were between 35 and 44 years old.

We are not talking about people who failed to pay loans running into millions but youth as young as 21 or just starting out in life. Daily an average of 41 young people aged between 21 and 40 are declared bankrupt.

And all mainly for bad debts due to hire purchase loans for cars, houses or credit cards worth as low as RM30,000.

Things would have been worse if not for Bank Negara Malaysia's foresight in setting up the Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK) 11 years ago.

AKPK has helped tens of thousands of people. It counsels and gets to the root cause – usually poor financial planning – for young wage earners, who can hardly make ends meet especially in urban areas.

These are the people who are battling with the high cost of living, failure or slowdown in business, high medical expenses and job loss.

We have more reasons to worry with a revelation by the Malaysian Employers Federation that some 50,000 workers are expected to be retrenched this year.

Regular news reports about young bankrupts and advertisements by creditors led to the timely political will by the government with the passage in Parliament late last year of major amendments to the Bankruptcy Act 1967, now renamed the Insolvency Act.

The AKPK will be in the forefront of enforcing the spirit of eight policy changes under the Act that came into force last October.

Its CEO Azaddin Ngah Tasir said one policy change now gives the agency the right to intervene on behalf of debtors by stalling bankruptcy action and bringing banks to the negotiation table.

Under the Voluntary Arrangement mechanism, AKPK will act as a nominee for the debtor; this involves an application to the court for an interim order whereby during its effective period, no bankruptcy petition and other legal process may be commenced or continued against the debtor without the court's permission.

AKPK will be given 90 days from the interim order to assist the debtor to prepare a debt repayment plan.

"The borrowers can come to us and we will evaluate whether they are eligible for us to represent them as a nominee. We will look into their affairs and see how best they can make payments. We will then talk to the creditors and restructure the loans for them, once we've got the approvals from the court," said Azaddin.

Other changes to the Act include the setting up of the Insolvency Assistance Fund to ease the administration of bankruptcy cases and a release from bankruptcy without objection by the creditors for certain groups of people.

They include "social guarantors" made bankrupt under the previous Bankruptcy Act 1967 such as those who have died, people categorised with disabilities by the Welfare Department as well as those certified by government doctors as suffering from chronic medical conditions.

Another important amendment is raising the debt threshold to RM50,000 at least for bankruptcy declarations from RM30,000 previously, a clause that caught many people especially friends and relatives who stood as guarantors.

Over the past four years, the courts cleared over 1,400 bankruptcy cases while some 12,400 more cases were annulled and another 46,000 discharged from bankruptcy.

As of last December the agency has helped resolve about 15,000 cases involving debts worth RM617.4 million.

Banks have been over-zealous in issuing credit cards even to new wage earners resulting in many of them having multiple cards when they can hardly afford even one after paying their car loans and other commitments.

And many of them get into financial woes with their first huge commitment, their car instalment, as the majority with a salary of around RM2,000 having to fork the bulk of it just to service their car loans.

Malaysia is perhaps the most obvious car society in the world due to us being late starters in providing seamless mass transit transport systems.

Most of the bankruptcy cases relating to non-payment of car loans could be avoided if more young people opt to buy good second-hand vehicles that are cheaper than new ones.

I know nothing like the thrill of driving a new car out of a showroom but this pleasure is short-lived and disappears once the car owner can't service his or her loans.

It's time for all industry players to start thinking of making more affordable cars.

Let's hope more efforts are put into improving our image as a country with one of the world's highest household debts and we need to do more to save people especially the young from the bankruptcy trap.

Well done AKPK and keep up your noble work.

More help for bankrupts

NEWS

Posted at Feb 08, 2018

8 February 2018 - HARDLY a day passes without newspapers publishing classifieds on bankruptcy cases.

Between 2013 and 2017, over 100,000 individuals were made bankrupts. The statistics become grimmer if we take into account that 34% of them were between 35 and 44 years old.

We are not talking about people who failed to pay loans running into millions but youth as young as 21 or just starting out in life. Daily an average of 41 young people aged between 21 and 40 are declared bankrupt.

And all mainly for bad debts due to hire purchase loans for cars, houses or credit cards worth as low as RM30,000.

Things would have been worse if not for Bank Negara Malaysia's foresight in setting up the Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK) 11 years ago.

AKPK has helped tens of thousands of people. It counsels and gets to the root cause – usually poor financial planning – for young wage earners, who can hardly make ends meet especially in urban areas.

These are the people who are battling with the high cost of living, failure or slowdown in business, high medical expenses and job loss.

We have more reasons to worry with a revelation by the Malaysian Employers Federation that some 50,000 workers are expected to be retrenched this year.

Regular news reports about young bankrupts and advertisements by creditors led to the timely political will by the government with the passage in Parliament late last year of major amendments to the Bankruptcy Act 1967, now renamed the Insolvency Act.

The AKPK will be in the forefront of enforcing the spirit of eight policy changes under the Act that came into force last October.

Its CEO Azaddin Ngah Tasir said one policy change now gives the agency the right to intervene on behalf of debtors by stalling bankruptcy action and bringing banks to the negotiation table.

Under the Voluntary Arrangement mechanism, AKPK will act as a nominee for the debtor; this involves an application to the court for an interim order whereby during its effective period, no bankruptcy petition and other legal process may be commenced or continued against the debtor without the court's permission.

AKPK will be given 90 days from the interim order to assist the debtor to prepare a debt repayment plan.

"The borrowers can come to us and we will evaluate whether they are eligible for us to represent them as a nominee. We will look into their affairs and see how best they can make payments. We will then talk to the creditors and restructure the loans for them, once we've got the approvals from the court," said Azaddin.

Other changes to the Act include the setting up of the Insolvency Assistance Fund to ease the administration of bankruptcy cases and a release from bankruptcy without objection by the creditors for certain groups of people.

They include "social guarantors" made bankrupt under the previous Bankruptcy Act 1967 such as those who have died, people categorised with disabilities by the Welfare Department as well as those certified by government doctors as suffering from chronic medical conditions.

Another important amendment is raising the debt threshold to RM50,000 at least for bankruptcy declarations from RM30,000 previously, a clause that caught many people especially friends and relatives who stood as guarantors.

Over the past four years, the courts cleared over 1,400 bankruptcy cases while some 12,400 more cases were annulled and another 46,000 discharged from bankruptcy.

As of last December the agency has helped resolve about 15,000 cases involving debts worth RM617.4 million.

Banks have been over-zealous in issuing credit cards even to new wage earners resulting in many of them having multiple cards when they can hardly afford even one after paying their car loans and other commitments.

And many of them get into financial woes with their first huge commitment, their car instalment, as the majority with a salary of around RM2,000 having to fork the bulk of it just to service their car loans.

Malaysia is perhaps the most obvious car society in the world due to us being late starters in providing seamless mass transit transport systems.

Most of the bankruptcy cases relating to non-payment of car loans could be avoided if more young people opt to buy good second-hand vehicles that are cheaper than new ones.

I know nothing like the thrill of driving a new car out of a showroom but this pleasure is short-lived and disappears once the car owner can't service his or her loans.

It's time for all industry players to start thinking of making more affordable cars.

Let's hope more efforts are put into improving our image as a country with one of the world's highest household debts and we need to do more to save people especially the young from the bankruptcy trap.

Well done AKPK and keep up your noble work.

Feb 08, 2018 | TheSunDaily

NEWS

Posted at Feb 08, 2018

8 February 2018 - HARDLY a day passes without newspapers publishing classifieds on bankruptcy cases.

Between 2013 and 2017, over 100,000 individuals were made bankrupts. The statistics become grimmer if we take into account that 34% of them were between 35 and 44 years old.

We are not talking about people who failed to pay loans running into millions but youth as young as 21 or just starting out in life. Daily an average of 41 young people aged between 21 and 40 are declared bankrupt.

And all mainly for bad debts due to hire purchase loans for cars, houses or credit cards worth as low as RM30,000.

Things would have been worse if not for Bank Negara Malaysia's foresight in setting up the Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK) 11 years ago.

AKPK has helped tens of thousands of people. It counsels and gets to the root cause – usually poor financial planning – for young wage earners, who can hardly make ends meet especially in urban areas.

These are the people who are battling with the high cost of living, failure or slowdown in business, high medical expenses and job loss.

We have more reasons to worry with a revelation by the Malaysian Employers Federation that some 50,000 workers are expected to be retrenched this year.

Regular news reports about young bankrupts and advertisements by creditors led to the timely political will by the government with the passage in Parliament late last year of major amendments to the Bankruptcy Act 1967, now renamed the Insolvency Act.

The AKPK will be in the forefront of enforcing the spirit of eight policy changes under the Act that came into force last October.

Its CEO Azaddin Ngah Tasir said one policy change now gives the agency the right to intervene on behalf of debtors by stalling bankruptcy action and bringing banks to the negotiation table.

Under the Voluntary Arrangement mechanism, AKPK will act as a nominee for the debtor; this involves an application to the court for an interim order whereby during its effective period, no bankruptcy petition and other legal process may be commenced or continued against the debtor without the court's permission.

AKPK will be given 90 days from the interim order to assist the debtor to prepare a debt repayment plan.

"The borrowers can come to us and we will evaluate whether they are eligible for us to represent them as a nominee. We will look into their affairs and see how best they can make payments. We will then talk to the creditors and restructure the loans for them, once we've got the approvals from the court," said Azaddin.

Other changes to the Act include the setting up of the Insolvency Assistance Fund to ease the administration of bankruptcy cases and a release from bankruptcy without objection by the creditors for certain groups of people.

They include "social guarantors" made bankrupt under the previous Bankruptcy Act 1967 such as those who have died, people categorised with disabilities by the Welfare Department as well as those certified by government doctors as suffering from chronic medical conditions.

Another important amendment is raising the debt threshold to RM50,000 at least for bankruptcy declarations from RM30,000 previously, a clause that caught many people especially friends and relatives who stood as guarantors.

Over the past four years, the courts cleared over 1,400 bankruptcy cases while some 12,400 more cases were annulled and another 46,000 discharged from bankruptcy.

As of last December the agency has helped resolve about 15,000 cases involving debts worth RM617.4 million.

Banks have been over-zealous in issuing credit cards even to new wage earners resulting in many of them having multiple cards when they can hardly afford even one after paying their car loans and other commitments.

And many of them get into financial woes with their first huge commitment, their car instalment, as the majority with a salary of around RM2,000 having to fork the bulk of it just to service their car loans.

Malaysia is perhaps the most obvious car society in the world due to us being late starters in providing seamless mass transit transport systems.

Most of the bankruptcy cases relating to non-payment of car loans could be avoided if more young people opt to buy good second-hand vehicles that are cheaper than new ones.

I know nothing like the thrill of driving a new car out of a showroom but this pleasure is short-lived and disappears once the car owner can't service his or her loans.

It's time for all industry players to start thinking of making more affordable cars.

Let's hope more efforts are put into improving our image as a country with one of the world's highest household debts and we need to do more to save people especially the young from the bankruptcy trap.

Well done AKPK and keep up your noble work.

AKPK bantu individu muflis
Feb 02, 2018 | SinarHarianOnline

NEWS

Posted at Jan 30, 2018

KUALA LUMPUR 29 Jan. - Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) telah membantu menyelesaikan 15,439 kes hutang melibatkan RM617.4 juta menerusi Program Pengurusan Kredit (PPK) sehingga 31 Disember tahun lalu.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif AKPK, Azaddin Ngah Tasir berkata, PPK merupakan program yang diwujudkan untuk membantu peminjam memperbaiki kedudukan kewangan dalam menunaikan pembayaran hutang dan perbelanjaan hidup sekali gus mengelakkan daripada diisytihar bankrap.

Katanya, seramai 683,169 pelanggan telah mendapatkan perkhidmatan kaunseling AKPK sehingga 31 Disember 2017 di mana 210,814 telah dibantu menerusi PPK.

“Perancangan kewangan yang lemah merupakan punca masalah kewangan utama iaitu merangkumi 43.3 peratus daripada kes yang diterima selain kos sara hidup tinggi (21.8 peratus) dan kegagalan dalam perniagaan sebanyak 14.5 peratus.

“Kami berharap lebih ramai bersikap proaktif dan hadir ke AKPK untuk bertanyakan tentang hal-hal kewangan sekali gus meningkatkan kadar celik kewangan di samping mengurangkan jumlah individu yang terjerumus dengan kedudukan kewangan yang buruk,” katanya dalam majlis taklimat Perkiraan Sukarela (VA) di sini hari ini.

Yang turut hadir, Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Insolvensi, Datuk Abdul Rahman Putra Taha dan Pengurus Besar Operasi AKPK, Nor Fazleen Zakaria.

Taklimat VA yang dihadiri oleh penyedia kredit termasuk ketua bahagian kutipan hutang, wakil institusi kewangan dan organisasi berkaitan diadakan bagi menerangkan dengan lebih terperinci mengenai mekanisme VA susulan pindaan Akta Insolvensi 1967 tahun lalu.

VA adalah mekanisme penyelamat yang memberi peluang kedua kepada penghutang untuk berunding dan merancang satu pelan pembayaran semula dengan kesemua penyedia kredit bagi mengelakkan tindakan lanjutan undang-undang kebankrapan.

Mengulas lanjut, Azaddin berkata, AKPK akan berperanan sebagai penama menerusi prosedur VA dalam usaha membantu menyelamatkan individu daripada diisytiharkan muflis.

Beliau berkata, selepas AKPK meneliti prestasi kewangan individu, maklumat berkenaan akan dibawa ke mahkamah yang akan mengeluarkan perintah sementara selama 90 hari supaya AKPK boleh membantu menyediakan struktur pembayaran semula hutang.

“Perkhidmatan ini adalah lebih efisien kepada penyedia kredit sebagai satu daripada sumber alternatif pembayaran kerana penghutang akan dijamin untuk membayar semula hutang.

“Kami berharap VA akan mewujudkan situasi menang-menang kepada semua pihak terlibat sekali gus dapat mengurangkan jumlah individu muflis di negara ini,” ujar beliau.

Dalam pada itu, Abdul Rahman Putra berkata, VA dijangka dapat mengurangkan kadar individu muflis di negara ini sehingga 50 peratus.

“Pola peningkatan kadar muflis dilihat semakin meningkat sejak lima tahun kebelakangan ini dengan kira-kira 20,000 individu di Malaysia diisytiharkan muflis setiap tahun atas pelbagai faktor,” katanya.

Malaysia merekodkan 100,610 kes bankrap dari 2013 hingga 2017 dengan 34.4 peratus daripadanya melibatkan individu berusia antara 34 hingga 44 tahun manakala lelaki merangkumi 69 peratus daripada kes tersebut.

AKPK selesai 15,439  kes hutan...

NEWS

Posted at Jan 30, 2018

KUALA LUMPUR 29 Jan. - Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) telah membantu menyelesaikan 15,439 kes hutang melibatkan RM617.4 juta menerusi Program Pengurusan Kredit (PPK) sehingga 31 Disember tahun lalu.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif AKPK, Azaddin Ngah Tasir berkata, PPK merupakan program yang diwujudkan untuk membantu peminjam memperbaiki kedudukan kewangan dalam menunaikan pembayaran hutang dan perbelanjaan hidup sekali gus mengelakkan daripada diisytihar bankrap.

Katanya, seramai 683,169 pelanggan telah mendapatkan perkhidmatan kaunseling AKPK sehingga 31 Disember 2017 di mana 210,814 telah dibantu menerusi PPK.

“Perancangan kewangan yang lemah merupakan punca masalah kewangan utama iaitu merangkumi 43.3 peratus daripada kes yang diterima selain kos sara hidup tinggi (21.8 peratus) dan kegagalan dalam perniagaan sebanyak 14.5 peratus.

“Kami berharap lebih ramai bersikap proaktif dan hadir ke AKPK untuk bertanyakan tentang hal-hal kewangan sekali gus meningkatkan kadar celik kewangan di samping mengurangkan jumlah individu yang terjerumus dengan kedudukan kewangan yang buruk,” katanya dalam majlis taklimat Perkiraan Sukarela (VA) di sini hari ini.

Yang turut hadir, Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Insolvensi, Datuk Abdul Rahman Putra Taha dan Pengurus Besar Operasi AKPK, Nor Fazleen Zakaria.

Taklimat VA yang dihadiri oleh penyedia kredit termasuk ketua bahagian kutipan hutang, wakil institusi kewangan dan organisasi berkaitan diadakan bagi menerangkan dengan lebih terperinci mengenai mekanisme VA susulan pindaan Akta Insolvensi 1967 tahun lalu.

VA adalah mekanisme penyelamat yang memberi peluang kedua kepada penghutang untuk berunding dan merancang satu pelan pembayaran semula dengan kesemua penyedia kredit bagi mengelakkan tindakan lanjutan undang-undang kebankrapan.

Mengulas lanjut, Azaddin berkata, AKPK akan berperanan sebagai penama menerusi prosedur VA dalam usaha membantu menyelamatkan individu daripada diisytiharkan muflis.

Beliau berkata, selepas AKPK meneliti prestasi kewangan individu, maklumat berkenaan akan dibawa ke mahkamah yang akan mengeluarkan perintah sementara selama 90 hari supaya AKPK boleh membantu menyediakan struktur pembayaran semula hutang.

“Perkhidmatan ini adalah lebih efisien kepada penyedia kredit sebagai satu daripada sumber alternatif pembayaran kerana penghutang akan dijamin untuk membayar semula hutang.

“Kami berharap VA akan mewujudkan situasi menang-menang kepada semua pihak terlibat sekali gus dapat mengurangkan jumlah individu muflis di negara ini,” ujar beliau.

Dalam pada itu, Abdul Rahman Putra berkata, VA dijangka dapat mengurangkan kadar individu muflis di negara ini sehingga 50 peratus.

“Pola peningkatan kadar muflis dilihat semakin meningkat sejak lima tahun kebelakangan ini dengan kira-kira 20,000 individu di Malaysia diisytiharkan muflis setiap tahun atas pelbagai faktor,” katanya.

Malaysia merekodkan 100,610 kes bankrap dari 2013 hingga 2017 dengan 34.4 peratus daripadanya melibatkan individu berusia antara 34 hingga 44 tahun manakala lelaki merangkumi 69 peratus daripada kes tersebut.

Jan 30, 2018 | UtusanMalaysiaOnline

NEWS

Posted at Jan 30, 2018

KUALA LUMPUR 29 Jan. - Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) telah membantu menyelesaikan 15,439 kes hutang melibatkan RM617.4 juta menerusi Program Pengurusan Kredit (PPK) sehingga 31 Disember tahun lalu.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif AKPK, Azaddin Ngah Tasir berkata, PPK merupakan program yang diwujudkan untuk membantu peminjam memperbaiki kedudukan kewangan dalam menunaikan pembayaran hutang dan perbelanjaan hidup sekali gus mengelakkan daripada diisytihar bankrap.

Katanya, seramai 683,169 pelanggan telah mendapatkan perkhidmatan kaunseling AKPK sehingga 31 Disember 2017 di mana 210,814 telah dibantu menerusi PPK.

“Perancangan kewangan yang lemah merupakan punca masalah kewangan utama iaitu merangkumi 43.3 peratus daripada kes yang diterima selain kos sara hidup tinggi (21.8 peratus) dan kegagalan dalam perniagaan sebanyak 14.5 peratus.

“Kami berharap lebih ramai bersikap proaktif dan hadir ke AKPK untuk bertanyakan tentang hal-hal kewangan sekali gus meningkatkan kadar celik kewangan di samping mengurangkan jumlah individu yang terjerumus dengan kedudukan kewangan yang buruk,” katanya dalam majlis taklimat Perkiraan Sukarela (VA) di sini hari ini.

Yang turut hadir, Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Insolvensi, Datuk Abdul Rahman Putra Taha dan Pengurus Besar Operasi AKPK, Nor Fazleen Zakaria.

Taklimat VA yang dihadiri oleh penyedia kredit termasuk ketua bahagian kutipan hutang, wakil institusi kewangan dan organisasi berkaitan diadakan bagi menerangkan dengan lebih terperinci mengenai mekanisme VA susulan pindaan Akta Insolvensi 1967 tahun lalu.

VA adalah mekanisme penyelamat yang memberi peluang kedua kepada penghutang untuk berunding dan merancang satu pelan pembayaran semula dengan kesemua penyedia kredit bagi mengelakkan tindakan lanjutan undang-undang kebankrapan.

Mengulas lanjut, Azaddin berkata, AKPK akan berperanan sebagai penama menerusi prosedur VA dalam usaha membantu menyelamatkan individu daripada diisytiharkan muflis.

Beliau berkata, selepas AKPK meneliti prestasi kewangan individu, maklumat berkenaan akan dibawa ke mahkamah yang akan mengeluarkan perintah sementara selama 90 hari supaya AKPK boleh membantu menyediakan struktur pembayaran semula hutang.

“Perkhidmatan ini adalah lebih efisien kepada penyedia kredit sebagai satu daripada sumber alternatif pembayaran kerana penghutang akan dijamin untuk membayar semula hutang.

“Kami berharap VA akan mewujudkan situasi menang-menang kepada semua pihak terlibat sekali gus dapat mengurangkan jumlah individu muflis di negara ini,” ujar beliau.

Dalam pada itu, Abdul Rahman Putra berkata, VA dijangka dapat mengurangkan kadar individu muflis di negara ini sehingga 50 peratus.

“Pola peningkatan kadar muflis dilihat semakin meningkat sejak lima tahun kebelakangan ini dengan kira-kira 20,000 individu di Malaysia diisytiharkan muflis setiap tahun atas pelbagai faktor,” katanya.

Malaysia merekodkan 100,610 kes bankrap dari 2013 hingga 2017 dengan 34.4 peratus daripadanya melibatkan individu berusia antara 34 hingga 44 tahun manakala lelaki merangkumi 69 peratus daripada kes tersebut.

NEWS

Posted at Jan 29, 2018

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 29): Debt Management and Counselling Agency (AKPK) has expanded its role to become a nominee under the Voluntary Arrangement (VA) service, a rescue mechanism to help potential bankrupts.

Chief Executive Officer Azaddin Ngah Tasir said the new service would provide debtors an opportunity to negotiate a debt repayment plan with creditors and avoid bankruptcy.

“This rescue mechanism acts as a ‘second chance’ for borrowers to regain control of their finances, without placing any restriction on them, the way bankruptcy does,” he told reporters at the VA Awareness Briefing here, today.

Azaddin said with the VA, debtors would have the advantage of a moratorium of legal action and the process would be legally binding, unlike its Debt Management Programme (DMP).

The service would also make it more cost-efficient for credit providers as an alternative collection source, and they would be assured of the debt repayment.

He said under the VA, the court would issue a 90-day interim order, during which AKPK would help the debtor prepare a debt repayment structure.

He added that AKPK would charge the debtor up to 5% of the outstanding debt for its service.

“We hope the VA will create a mutual win-win situation for all parties and reduce bankruptcy figures in the country,” said Azaddin.

The VA scheme was introduced under the revised Insolvency Act 1967 which came into force on Oct 6, 2017.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Department of Insolvency Director-General Datuk Abdul Rahman Putra Taha said the rescue mechanism was a necessary feature in all bankruptcy regimes.

“This is the transition towards self-resolution to promote responsible debt settlement and individual debtor rehabilitation,” he added.

He said there was a need to constantly revise the insolvency law to ensure it remained relevant to support Malaysia’s growth.

“We are also hoping to change the people’s mindset regarding insolvency – that a bankrupt is not a bankrupt for life,” he added.

From 2013-2017, there were 100,610 bankruptcy cases, 34.4% of which were from the 34-44 age group.

Men accounted for over 69% of the bankruptcy cases during the period.

AKPK expands role to help pote...

NEWS

Posted at Jan 29, 2018

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 29): Debt Management and Counselling Agency (AKPK) has expanded its role to become a nominee under the Voluntary Arrangement (VA) service, a rescue mechanism to help potential bankrupts.

Chief Executive Officer Azaddin Ngah Tasir said the new service would provide debtors an opportunity to negotiate a debt repayment plan with creditors and avoid bankruptcy.

“This rescue mechanism acts as a ‘second chance’ for borrowers to regain control of their finances, without placing any restriction on them, the way bankruptcy does,” he told reporters at the VA Awareness Briefing here, today.

Azaddin said with the VA, debtors would have the advantage of a moratorium of legal action and the process would be legally binding, unlike its Debt Management Programme (DMP).

The service would also make it more cost-efficient for credit providers as an alternative collection source, and they would be assured of the debt repayment.

He said under the VA, the court would issue a 90-day interim order, during which AKPK would help the debtor prepare a debt repayment structure.

He added that AKPK would charge the debtor up to 5% of the outstanding debt for its service.

“We hope the VA will create a mutual win-win situation for all parties and reduce bankruptcy figures in the country,” said Azaddin.

The VA scheme was introduced under the revised Insolvency Act 1967 which came into force on Oct 6, 2017.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Department of Insolvency Director-General Datuk Abdul Rahman Putra Taha said the rescue mechanism was a necessary feature in all bankruptcy regimes.

“This is the transition towards self-resolution to promote responsible debt settlement and individual debtor rehabilitation,” he added.

He said there was a need to constantly revise the insolvency law to ensure it remained relevant to support Malaysia’s growth.

“We are also hoping to change the people’s mindset regarding insolvency – that a bankrupt is not a bankrupt for life,” he added.

From 2013-2017, there were 100,610 bankruptcy cases, 34.4% of which were from the 34-44 age group.

Men accounted for over 69% of the bankruptcy cases during the period.

Jan 29, 2018 | TheEdgeMarkets

NEWS

Posted at Jan 29, 2018

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 29): Debt Management and Counselling Agency (AKPK) has expanded its role to become a nominee under the Voluntary Arrangement (VA) service, a rescue mechanism to help potential bankrupts.

Chief Executive Officer Azaddin Ngah Tasir said the new service would provide debtors an opportunity to negotiate a debt repayment plan with creditors and avoid bankruptcy.

“This rescue mechanism acts as a ‘second chance’ for borrowers to regain control of their finances, without placing any restriction on them, the way bankruptcy does,” he told reporters at the VA Awareness Briefing here, today.

Azaddin said with the VA, debtors would have the advantage of a moratorium of legal action and the process would be legally binding, unlike its Debt Management Programme (DMP).

The service would also make it more cost-efficient for credit providers as an alternative collection source, and they would be assured of the debt repayment.

He said under the VA, the court would issue a 90-day interim order, during which AKPK would help the debtor prepare a debt repayment structure.

He added that AKPK would charge the debtor up to 5% of the outstanding debt for its service.

“We hope the VA will create a mutual win-win situation for all parties and reduce bankruptcy figures in the country,” said Azaddin.

The VA scheme was introduced under the revised Insolvency Act 1967 which came into force on Oct 6, 2017.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Department of Insolvency Director-General Datuk Abdul Rahman Putra Taha said the rescue mechanism was a necessary feature in all bankruptcy regimes.

“This is the transition towards self-resolution to promote responsible debt settlement and individual debtor rehabilitation,” he added.

He said there was a need to constantly revise the insolvency law to ensure it remained relevant to support Malaysia’s growth.

“We are also hoping to change the people’s mindset regarding insolvency – that a bankrupt is not a bankrupt for life,” he added.

From 2013-2017, there were 100,610 bankruptcy cases, 34.4% of which were from the 34-44 age group.

Men accounted for over 69% of the bankruptcy cases during the period.

AKPK anjur taklimat Perkiraan...
Jan 29, 2018 | UtusanMalaysiaOnline

NEWS

Posted at Jan 29, 2018

KUALA LUMPUR: Penyediaan penyelesaian beban kewangan, Perkiraan Sukarela (VA), dijangka mengurangkan kadar muflis rakyat Malaysia mencecah 50 peratus.

Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Insolvensi Malaysia (MdI), Datuk Abdul Rahman Putra Taha, berkata statistik terkini menyaksikan kira-kira 20,000 individu di Malaysia diisytiharkan muflis setiap tahun berpunca daripada pelbagai faktor.

Katanya, pola peningkatan berganda kadar muflis yang mencetuskan kebimbangan itu didapati berlaku sejak lima tahun kebelakangan ini.

"Purata umur individu yang diisytiharkan muflis adalah sekitar 45 tahun, malah penelitian terhadap masalah ini menunjukkan kebanyakan mereka berdepan tekanan dalam kalangan masyarakat.

"Tekanan yang dimaksudkan adalah merealisasikan keinginan melangkaui kemampuan seperti membeli kereta mewah, kediaman impian dan belanja kahwin sehingga ratusan ribu ringgit angkara desakan ibu bapa.

"Mangsa keadaan seperti ini boleh diselamatkan menerusi VA sebagai jalan penyelesaian terakhir daripada diisytiharkan muflis," katanya pada sidang media di Lanai Kijang, Bank Negara di sini, hari ini.

VA dilaksanakan lanjutan pengumuman MdI mengenai Akta Insolvensi 1967 dengan melantik Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) sebagai penama dalam mengendalikan kaedah penyelesaian berkenaan.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif AKPK, Azaddin Ngah Tasir, berkata mekanisme terakhir itu bakal memperuntukkan tempoh interim atau sementara selama 90 hari bagi menghalang tindakan perundangan diambil terhadap penghutang.

Sepanjang tempoh itu, katanya, AKPK akan turut menjalankan rundingan dengan pemiutang dan agensi berkaitan untuk merangka pelan penyelesaian kewangan mengikut kaedah tertentu.

"Kita mempunyai Program Pengurusan Hutang (DMP) untuk individu yang belum berdepan tindakan perundangan berikutan masalah kewangan.

"VA pula adalah jalan penyelesaian terakhir untuk individu yang akan dikenakan tindakan perundangan bagi mengelak mereka diisytiharkan muflis," katanya.

Azaddin berkata, kira-kira 69 peratus daripada individu yang mendapatkan khidmat nasihat AKPK ketika ini adalah dalam lingkungan usia antara 30 hingga 50 tahun.

Katanya, keterbukaan masyarakat mendapatkan khidmat nasihat AKPK adalah petunjuk baik kerana sebelum ini wujud persepsi negatif bahawa mana-mana individu yang tampil ke agensi berkenaan mempunyai masalah kewangan kronik.

"Kita ingin mengingatkan masyarakat supaya tidak mendapatkan khidmat jururunding ejen penyelesaian kewangan bebas yang semakin menular dengan menjanjikan pelbagai pilihan kepada pelanggannya," katanya.

VA kurangkan kadar muflis

NEWS

Posted at Jan 29, 2018

KUALA LUMPUR: Penyediaan penyelesaian beban kewangan, Perkiraan Sukarela (VA), dijangka mengurangkan kadar muflis rakyat Malaysia mencecah 50 peratus.

Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Insolvensi Malaysia (MdI), Datuk Abdul Rahman Putra Taha, berkata statistik terkini menyaksikan kira-kira 20,000 individu di Malaysia diisytiharkan muflis setiap tahun berpunca daripada pelbagai faktor.

Katanya, pola peningkatan berganda kadar muflis yang mencetuskan kebimbangan itu didapati berlaku sejak lima tahun kebelakangan ini.

"Purata umur individu yang diisytiharkan muflis adalah sekitar 45 tahun, malah penelitian terhadap masalah ini menunjukkan kebanyakan mereka berdepan tekanan dalam kalangan masyarakat.

"Tekanan yang dimaksudkan adalah merealisasikan keinginan melangkaui kemampuan seperti membeli kereta mewah, kediaman impian dan belanja kahwin sehingga ratusan ribu ringgit angkara desakan ibu bapa.

"Mangsa keadaan seperti ini boleh diselamatkan menerusi VA sebagai jalan penyelesaian terakhir daripada diisytiharkan muflis," katanya pada sidang media di Lanai Kijang, Bank Negara di sini, hari ini.

VA dilaksanakan lanjutan pengumuman MdI mengenai Akta Insolvensi 1967 dengan melantik Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) sebagai penama dalam mengendalikan kaedah penyelesaian berkenaan.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif AKPK, Azaddin Ngah Tasir, berkata mekanisme terakhir itu bakal memperuntukkan tempoh interim atau sementara selama 90 hari bagi menghalang tindakan perundangan diambil terhadap penghutang.

Sepanjang tempoh itu, katanya, AKPK akan turut menjalankan rundingan dengan pemiutang dan agensi berkaitan untuk merangka pelan penyelesaian kewangan mengikut kaedah tertentu.

"Kita mempunyai Program Pengurusan Hutang (DMP) untuk individu yang belum berdepan tindakan perundangan berikutan masalah kewangan.

"VA pula adalah jalan penyelesaian terakhir untuk individu yang akan dikenakan tindakan perundangan bagi mengelak mereka diisytiharkan muflis," katanya.

Azaddin berkata, kira-kira 69 peratus daripada individu yang mendapatkan khidmat nasihat AKPK ketika ini adalah dalam lingkungan usia antara 30 hingga 50 tahun.

Katanya, keterbukaan masyarakat mendapatkan khidmat nasihat AKPK adalah petunjuk baik kerana sebelum ini wujud persepsi negatif bahawa mana-mana individu yang tampil ke agensi berkenaan mempunyai masalah kewangan kronik.

"Kita ingin mengingatkan masyarakat supaya tidak mendapatkan khidmat jururunding ejen penyelesaian kewangan bebas yang semakin menular dengan menjanjikan pelbagai pilihan kepada pelanggannya," katanya.

Jan 29, 2018 | BeritaHarianOnline

NEWS

Posted at Jan 29, 2018

KUALA LUMPUR: Penyediaan penyelesaian beban kewangan, Perkiraan Sukarela (VA), dijangka mengurangkan kadar muflis rakyat Malaysia mencecah 50 peratus.

Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Insolvensi Malaysia (MdI), Datuk Abdul Rahman Putra Taha, berkata statistik terkini menyaksikan kira-kira 20,000 individu di Malaysia diisytiharkan muflis setiap tahun berpunca daripada pelbagai faktor.

Katanya, pola peningkatan berganda kadar muflis yang mencetuskan kebimbangan itu didapati berlaku sejak lima tahun kebelakangan ini.

"Purata umur individu yang diisytiharkan muflis adalah sekitar 45 tahun, malah penelitian terhadap masalah ini menunjukkan kebanyakan mereka berdepan tekanan dalam kalangan masyarakat.

"Tekanan yang dimaksudkan adalah merealisasikan keinginan melangkaui kemampuan seperti membeli kereta mewah, kediaman impian dan belanja kahwin sehingga ratusan ribu ringgit angkara desakan ibu bapa.

"Mangsa keadaan seperti ini boleh diselamatkan menerusi VA sebagai jalan penyelesaian terakhir daripada diisytiharkan muflis," katanya pada sidang media di Lanai Kijang, Bank Negara di sini, hari ini.

VA dilaksanakan lanjutan pengumuman MdI mengenai Akta Insolvensi 1967 dengan melantik Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) sebagai penama dalam mengendalikan kaedah penyelesaian berkenaan.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif AKPK, Azaddin Ngah Tasir, berkata mekanisme terakhir itu bakal memperuntukkan tempoh interim atau sementara selama 90 hari bagi menghalang tindakan perundangan diambil terhadap penghutang.

Sepanjang tempoh itu, katanya, AKPK akan turut menjalankan rundingan dengan pemiutang dan agensi berkaitan untuk merangka pelan penyelesaian kewangan mengikut kaedah tertentu.

"Kita mempunyai Program Pengurusan Hutang (DMP) untuk individu yang belum berdepan tindakan perundangan berikutan masalah kewangan.

"VA pula adalah jalan penyelesaian terakhir untuk individu yang akan dikenakan tindakan perundangan bagi mengelak mereka diisytiharkan muflis," katanya.

Azaddin berkata, kira-kira 69 peratus daripada individu yang mendapatkan khidmat nasihat AKPK ketika ini adalah dalam lingkungan usia antara 30 hingga 50 tahun.

Katanya, keterbukaan masyarakat mendapatkan khidmat nasihat AKPK adalah petunjuk baik kerana sebelum ini wujud persepsi negatif bahawa mana-mana individu yang tampil ke agensi berkenaan mempunyai masalah kewangan kronik.

"Kita ingin mengingatkan masyarakat supaya tidak mendapatkan khidmat jururunding ejen penyelesaian kewangan bebas yang semakin menular dengan menjanjikan pelbagai pilihan kepada pelanggannya," katanya.

NEWS

Posted at Jan 17, 2018

Bank, AKPK akui isu bankrap pe...

NEWS

Posted at Jan 17, 2018

Jan 17, 2018 | AstroAwaniNews

NEWS

Posted at Jan 17, 2018

Perbincangan selesaikan masala...
Jan 16, 2018 | SinarOnline

NEWS

Posted at Jul 14, 2017

RECENT headlines, international and local, recall a very dark past for Malaysia and other so-called Asian Tigers.

Twenty years ago, Malaysia and other Asian nations were caught up in the turmoil of a currency crisis that swept across the continent, battering economies, pushing millions into poverty and forcing governments to seek emergency aid.

The 1997 Asian Financial Crisis sent currencies and stock markets tumbling, companies went bankrupt and governments like Thailand and South Korea were forced to seek bailouts from the International Monetary Fund.

Malaysians of the Baby Boomer and Gen X years recall the crisis as a period when the good times came to an end and we were forced into adopting severe austerity measures. But 20 years down the line, former Bank Negara Governor Tan Sri Zeti Akhtar Aziz feels that the country is in a much stronger position to withstand a similar crisis.

“We now have an integrated crisis management framework that, in the event that we see an imminent crisis, we will come together – whether it’s financial crisis in financial markets or whether it’s affecting financial institutions – we will come together to manage it collectively. So this is one very positive legacy that has come out of the crisis,” Zeti told StarBiz in a recent interview.

But while the country itself has safeguards that may enable it to withstand a similar financial meltdown, I am less positive about the younger generation, specifically our millennials – the early 30s and below age group.

Statistics show that there is an unprecedented debt accumulation amongst Malaysia’s millennials or Gen Ys. These young people are experiencing significant financial stress early in their life, with many living beyond their means and trapped in emotional spending, according to a study by the Asian Institute of Finance (AIF).

The survey showed a majority of Gen Ys were relying on high-cost borrowing, with 38% reported to be taking personal loans and 47% engaged in expensive credit card borrowings, while only 28% felt confident in their financial literacy.

It also showed that an alarming 75% of Gen Ys have at least one source of long-term debt such as car loans, education loans and mortgages, while 70% of those who own credit cards tended to pay the minimum monthly payment and 45% did not pay debt on time at some point.

“Despite being the most educated generation to date, Gen Ys are accruing debt at an earlier age and lack understanding when it comes to financial planning,” said AIF chief executive officer Dr Raymond Madden, when commenting on the study.

“Many of them are on the back foot when it comes to long-term financial security, as they accrue debt before they even enter their professional careers.

“With the ever-increasing complexity and diversity in financial products and markets, the millennials are more likely to bear more financial risk than previous generations, pointing to a critical need for behavioural changes in money management.”

The AIF report, themed “Finance Matters: Understanding Gen Y –Bridging the Knowledge Gap of Malaysia’s Millennials”, was based on a survey of over 1,000 young professionals aged between 20 and 33 years old.

Today, Malaysia and other Asean nations are much better off, given that the experience they went through has made these countries much more prudent and wiser in terms of managing another potential financial crisis.

However, I wonder if our young adult Malaysians are ready for a financial crisis, given that all the economies in the world go through a cyclical situation.

Even if our economy does not go through a crisis, I am concerned that young Malaysians have very, very little financial prudence. It is disturbing that the number of bankruptcy cases and financially distressed young adults is on the rise in Malaysia.

Bank Negara’s debt counselling agency, AKPK, has recorded an alarming increase in young people joining its debt management programme. Half-yearly figures show that almost 3,500 Malaysian Gen Ys have sought AKPK’s assistance, compared to about 4,500 people for the whole of 2016.

“On one hand, we welcome these millennials seeking our advice to restructure their personal debt, but the yearly increase in the number of young people who are getting into debt is worrying,” the agency’s corporate communications head Mohamad Khalil Jamaldin told me.

Khalil said that while his agency does provide free financial education classes, he believes that it is important that the young should be taught financial prudence from an early age and especially when they are in university.

I am sure AKPK is doing an excellent job in assisting our millennials, but I wonder if that is the solution. Parents need to play a greater role in educating their children and middle-class parents especially, who seem to be bent on giving their kids everything while not preparing them for tough situations, should stop the hand-outs.

The old adage comes to mind – cut your coat according to your cloth.

The writer, Mr Brian Martin agrees with Dr Madden, that managing money well and making sound financial decisions are essential life skills that must be learned over a lifetime, to ensure financial fitness in the future.

Source: The Star Online | 14 July 2017

Millennials facing financial w...

NEWS

Posted at Jul 14, 2017

RECENT headlines, international and local, recall a very dark past for Malaysia and other so-called Asian Tigers.

Twenty years ago, Malaysia and other Asian nations were caught up in the turmoil of a currency crisis that swept across the continent, battering economies, pushing millions into poverty and forcing governments to seek emergency aid.

The 1997 Asian Financial Crisis sent currencies and stock markets tumbling, companies went bankrupt and governments like Thailand and South Korea were forced to seek bailouts from the International Monetary Fund.

Malaysians of the Baby Boomer and Gen X years recall the crisis as a period when the good times came to an end and we were forced into adopting severe austerity measures. But 20 years down the line, former Bank Negara Governor Tan Sri Zeti Akhtar Aziz feels that the country is in a much stronger position to withstand a similar crisis.

“We now have an integrated crisis management framework that, in the event that we see an imminent crisis, we will come together – whether it’s financial crisis in financial markets or whether it’s affecting financial institutions – we will come together to manage it collectively. So this is one very positive legacy that has come out of the crisis,” Zeti told StarBiz in a recent interview.

But while the country itself has safeguards that may enable it to withstand a similar financial meltdown, I am less positive about the younger generation, specifically our millennials – the early 30s and below age group.

Statistics show that there is an unprecedented debt accumulation amongst Malaysia’s millennials or Gen Ys. These young people are experiencing significant financial stress early in their life, with many living beyond their means and trapped in emotional spending, according to a study by the Asian Institute of Finance (AIF).

The survey showed a majority of Gen Ys were relying on high-cost borrowing, with 38% reported to be taking personal loans and 47% engaged in expensive credit card borrowings, while only 28% felt confident in their financial literacy.

It also showed that an alarming 75% of Gen Ys have at least one source of long-term debt such as car loans, education loans and mortgages, while 70% of those who own credit cards tended to pay the minimum monthly payment and 45% did not pay debt on time at some point.

“Despite being the most educated generation to date, Gen Ys are accruing debt at an earlier age and lack understanding when it comes to financial planning,” said AIF chief executive officer Dr Raymond Madden, when commenting on the study.

“Many of them are on the back foot when it comes to long-term financial security, as they accrue debt before they even enter their professional careers.

“With the ever-increasing complexity and diversity in financial products and markets, the millennials are more likely to bear more financial risk than previous generations, pointing to a critical need for behavioural changes in money management.”

The AIF report, themed “Finance Matters: Understanding Gen Y –Bridging the Knowledge Gap of Malaysia’s Millennials”, was based on a survey of over 1,000 young professionals aged between 20 and 33 years old.

Today, Malaysia and other Asean nations are much better off, given that the experience they went through has made these countries much more prudent and wiser in terms of managing another potential financial crisis.

However, I wonder if our young adult Malaysians are ready for a financial crisis, given that all the economies in the world go through a cyclical situation.

Even if our economy does not go through a crisis, I am concerned that young Malaysians have very, very little financial prudence. It is disturbing that the number of bankruptcy cases and financially distressed young adults is on the rise in Malaysia.

Bank Negara’s debt counselling agency, AKPK, has recorded an alarming increase in young people joining its debt management programme. Half-yearly figures show that almost 3,500 Malaysian Gen Ys have sought AKPK’s assistance, compared to about 4,500 people for the whole of 2016.

“On one hand, we welcome these millennials seeking our advice to restructure their personal debt, but the yearly increase in the number of young people who are getting into debt is worrying,” the agency’s corporate communications head Mohamad Khalil Jamaldin told me.

Khalil said that while his agency does provide free financial education classes, he believes that it is important that the young should be taught financial prudence from an early age and especially when they are in university.

I am sure AKPK is doing an excellent job in assisting our millennials, but I wonder if that is the solution. Parents need to play a greater role in educating their children and middle-class parents especially, who seem to be bent on giving their kids everything while not preparing them for tough situations, should stop the hand-outs.

The old adage comes to mind – cut your coat according to your cloth.

The writer, Mr Brian Martin agrees with Dr Madden, that managing money well and making sound financial decisions are essential life skills that must be learned over a lifetime, to ensure financial fitness in the future.

Source: The Star Online | 14 July 2017

Jul 14, 2017 | TheStarOnline

NEWS

Posted at Jul 14, 2017

RECENT headlines, international and local, recall a very dark past for Malaysia and other so-called Asian Tigers.

Twenty years ago, Malaysia and other Asian nations were caught up in the turmoil of a currency crisis that swept across the continent, battering economies, pushing millions into poverty and forcing governments to seek emergency aid.

The 1997 Asian Financial Crisis sent currencies and stock markets tumbling, companies went bankrupt and governments like Thailand and South Korea were forced to seek bailouts from the International Monetary Fund.

Malaysians of the Baby Boomer and Gen X years recall the crisis as a period when the good times came to an end and we were forced into adopting severe austerity measures. But 20 years down the line, former Bank Negara Governor Tan Sri Zeti Akhtar Aziz feels that the country is in a much stronger position to withstand a similar crisis.

“We now have an integrated crisis management framework that, in the event that we see an imminent crisis, we will come together – whether it’s financial crisis in financial markets or whether it’s affecting financial institutions – we will come together to manage it collectively. So this is one very positive legacy that has come out of the crisis,” Zeti told StarBiz in a recent interview.

But while the country itself has safeguards that may enable it to withstand a similar financial meltdown, I am less positive about the younger generation, specifically our millennials – the early 30s and below age group.

Statistics show that there is an unprecedented debt accumulation amongst Malaysia’s millennials or Gen Ys. These young people are experiencing significant financial stress early in their life, with many living beyond their means and trapped in emotional spending, according to a study by the Asian Institute of Finance (AIF).

The survey showed a majority of Gen Ys were relying on high-cost borrowing, with 38% reported to be taking personal loans and 47% engaged in expensive credit card borrowings, while only 28% felt confident in their financial literacy.

It also showed that an alarming 75% of Gen Ys have at least one source of long-term debt such as car loans, education loans and mortgages, while 70% of those who own credit cards tended to pay the minimum monthly payment and 45% did not pay debt on time at some point.

“Despite being the most educated generation to date, Gen Ys are accruing debt at an earlier age and lack understanding when it comes to financial planning,” said AIF chief executive officer Dr Raymond Madden, when commenting on the study.

“Many of them are on the back foot when it comes to long-term financial security, as they accrue debt before they even enter their professional careers.

“With the ever-increasing complexity and diversity in financial products and markets, the millennials are more likely to bear more financial risk than previous generations, pointing to a critical need for behavioural changes in money management.”

The AIF report, themed “Finance Matters: Understanding Gen Y –Bridging the Knowledge Gap of Malaysia’s Millennials”, was based on a survey of over 1,000 young professionals aged between 20 and 33 years old.

Today, Malaysia and other Asean nations are much better off, given that the experience they went through has made these countries much more prudent and wiser in terms of managing another potential financial crisis.

However, I wonder if our young adult Malaysians are ready for a financial crisis, given that all the economies in the world go through a cyclical situation.

Even if our economy does not go through a crisis, I am concerned that young Malaysians have very, very little financial prudence. It is disturbing that the number of bankruptcy cases and financially distressed young adults is on the rise in Malaysia.

Bank Negara’s debt counselling agency, AKPK, has recorded an alarming increase in young people joining its debt management programme. Half-yearly figures show that almost 3,500 Malaysian Gen Ys have sought AKPK’s assistance, compared to about 4,500 people for the whole of 2016.

“On one hand, we welcome these millennials seeking our advice to restructure their personal debt, but the yearly increase in the number of young people who are getting into debt is worrying,” the agency’s corporate communications head Mohamad Khalil Jamaldin told me.

Khalil said that while his agency does provide free financial education classes, he believes that it is important that the young should be taught financial prudence from an early age and especially when they are in university.

I am sure AKPK is doing an excellent job in assisting our millennials, but I wonder if that is the solution. Parents need to play a greater role in educating their children and middle-class parents especially, who seem to be bent on giving their kids everything while not preparing them for tough situations, should stop the hand-outs.

The old adage comes to mind – cut your coat according to your cloth.

The writer, Mr Brian Martin agrees with Dr Madden, that managing money well and making sound financial decisions are essential life skills that must be learned over a lifetime, to ensure financial fitness in the future.

Source: The Star Online | 14 July 2017

NEWS

Posted at Jun 27, 2017

THE bread-and-butter issue has been on the lips of many. It has been going on for quite some time. Some are stressed out over it. Others are totally overwhelmed.

We are all in the new economic order of higher living costs. One question lingers. Can we all cope? Yes, we can as long as we can overcome the victim and captive mentality.

We can adapt to this new (ab)normal economic age. It’s seen as disruptive but we can do something with a little elastic and flexible mindset plus some contingency approach.

How capable is our brain in facing the above? The higher living cost will devastate and engulf those who are into impoverished thinking. They will think the same thing every day. It’s repetitive and can be mostly negative. It sounds like a broken record. They may have fallen into bad mental habits.

In contrast, what if we think the opposite? Impoverished thinking transformed into abundant thinking? When this happens, our minds transcend limitations. Our consciousness expands in every direction. Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive. We will be strongly inspired and not cowed by the burden of cost of living.

Remember those tiny yellow stickie that we stick on our PC monitor or office table? Start writing. Think of all that you want and all that you can do. Jumpstart your imagination.

Next, take action. Let’s see how others who have taken the first step fare. Folks are driving Uber and Grabcar to earn extra bucks. The yuppies are into investment for the money. The Star Online article “More young investors entering into Malaysian market” (May 3) reported that there was a 36% jump in the number of Central Depository System (CDS) account holders in the age group of 25 years old and below. This age group is the fastest growing band among CDS holders in 2016 with a total of 27,252 account holders as at Dec 31, 2016.

I have seen people earning incomes by selling pastry via social media. I have a graphic designer friend who teaches art class over the weekend. The list can go on and on. Look within ourselves. How can we use our talent for extra income?

Now, how can one install the lockdown on different canals of funds outflow? Napoleon Hill (1883 to 1970), an American self-help author who is well known for his book Think and Grow Rich, which is among the top 10 best selling self-help books of all time, was famous for studying the habits of the rich and famous.

Be a Napoleon Hill of frugality, minimalism and savings. Go to a supermarket. Study the buying habits. Are people buying necessities or the unnecessary? Can we differentiate?

Learning from experience works effectively. Hop onto a bus bound for a kampung. Learn about the simple life of the kampung people. What is on their expenditure list and how do they manage? Go to the nearest bookstore. Check out the books on personal finance. Consult a professional. Go to the Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK) if you need to. The journey of discovery will be an enlightening process. The key is taking the first step. Always remember that.

And it’s time to rethink happiness. Does it mesh well with the reality of living and the current and near-term economic situation? What if somebody told you that authentic happiness has something to do with living within our means? By this I mean living with less and manageable debts, limited financial obligations, delaying buying big ticket items, having emergency funds, etc. These can all be a form of happiness too.

The key is being flexible with our happiness goals. Financial happiness is in our hands. It’s your choice.

EDWARD WONG
Menglembu, Perak

Source: The Star Online | 27 June 2017

Use talent to earn extra incom...

NEWS

Posted at Jun 27, 2017

THE bread-and-butter issue has been on the lips of many. It has been going on for quite some time. Some are stressed out over it. Others are totally overwhelmed.

We are all in the new economic order of higher living costs. One question lingers. Can we all cope? Yes, we can as long as we can overcome the victim and captive mentality.

We can adapt to this new (ab)normal economic age. It’s seen as disruptive but we can do something with a little elastic and flexible mindset plus some contingency approach.

How capable is our brain in facing the above? The higher living cost will devastate and engulf those who are into impoverished thinking. They will think the same thing every day. It’s repetitive and can be mostly negative. It sounds like a broken record. They may have fallen into bad mental habits.

In contrast, what if we think the opposite? Impoverished thinking transformed into abundant thinking? When this happens, our minds transcend limitations. Our consciousness expands in every direction. Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive. We will be strongly inspired and not cowed by the burden of cost of living.

Remember those tiny yellow stickie that we stick on our PC monitor or office table? Start writing. Think of all that you want and all that you can do. Jumpstart your imagination.

Next, take action. Let’s see how others who have taken the first step fare. Folks are driving Uber and Grabcar to earn extra bucks. The yuppies are into investment for the money. The Star Online article “More young investors entering into Malaysian market” (May 3) reported that there was a 36% jump in the number of Central Depository System (CDS) account holders in the age group of 25 years old and below. This age group is the fastest growing band among CDS holders in 2016 with a total of 27,252 account holders as at Dec 31, 2016.

I have seen people earning incomes by selling pastry via social media. I have a graphic designer friend who teaches art class over the weekend. The list can go on and on. Look within ourselves. How can we use our talent for extra income?

Now, how can one install the lockdown on different canals of funds outflow? Napoleon Hill (1883 to 1970), an American self-help author who is well known for his book Think and Grow Rich, which is among the top 10 best selling self-help books of all time, was famous for studying the habits of the rich and famous.

Be a Napoleon Hill of frugality, minimalism and savings. Go to a supermarket. Study the buying habits. Are people buying necessities or the unnecessary? Can we differentiate?

Learning from experience works effectively. Hop onto a bus bound for a kampung. Learn about the simple life of the kampung people. What is on their expenditure list and how do they manage? Go to the nearest bookstore. Check out the books on personal finance. Consult a professional. Go to the Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK) if you need to. The journey of discovery will be an enlightening process. The key is taking the first step. Always remember that.

And it’s time to rethink happiness. Does it mesh well with the reality of living and the current and near-term economic situation? What if somebody told you that authentic happiness has something to do with living within our means? By this I mean living with less and manageable debts, limited financial obligations, delaying buying big ticket items, having emergency funds, etc. These can all be a form of happiness too.

The key is being flexible with our happiness goals. Financial happiness is in our hands. It’s your choice.

EDWARD WONG
Menglembu, Perak

Source: The Star Online | 27 June 2017

Jun 27, 2017 | TheStarOnline

NEWS

Posted at Jun 27, 2017

THE bread-and-butter issue has been on the lips of many. It has been going on for quite some time. Some are stressed out over it. Others are totally overwhelmed.

We are all in the new economic order of higher living costs. One question lingers. Can we all cope? Yes, we can as long as we can overcome the victim and captive mentality.

We can adapt to this new (ab)normal economic age. It’s seen as disruptive but we can do something with a little elastic and flexible mindset plus some contingency approach.

How capable is our brain in facing the above? The higher living cost will devastate and engulf those who are into impoverished thinking. They will think the same thing every day. It’s repetitive and can be mostly negative. It sounds like a broken record. They may have fallen into bad mental habits.

In contrast, what if we think the opposite? Impoverished thinking transformed into abundant thinking? When this happens, our minds transcend limitations. Our consciousness expands in every direction. Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive. We will be strongly inspired and not cowed by the burden of cost of living.

Remember those tiny yellow stickie that we stick on our PC monitor or office table? Start writing. Think of all that you want and all that you can do. Jumpstart your imagination.

Next, take action. Let’s see how others who have taken the first step fare. Folks are driving Uber and Grabcar to earn extra bucks. The yuppies are into investment for the money. The Star Online article “More young investors entering into Malaysian market” (May 3) reported that there was a 36% jump in the number of Central Depository System (CDS) account holders in the age group of 25 years old and below. This age group is the fastest growing band among CDS holders in 2016 with a total of 27,252 account holders as at Dec 31, 2016.

I have seen people earning incomes by selling pastry via social media. I have a graphic designer friend who teaches art class over the weekend. The list can go on and on. Look within ourselves. How can we use our talent for extra income?

Now, how can one install the lockdown on different canals of funds outflow? Napoleon Hill (1883 to 1970), an American self-help author who is well known for his book Think and Grow Rich, which is among the top 10 best selling self-help books of all time, was famous for studying the habits of the rich and famous.

Be a Napoleon Hill of frugality, minimalism and savings. Go to a supermarket. Study the buying habits. Are people buying necessities or the unnecessary? Can we differentiate?

Learning from experience works effectively. Hop onto a bus bound for a kampung. Learn about the simple life of the kampung people. What is on their expenditure list and how do they manage? Go to the nearest bookstore. Check out the books on personal finance. Consult a professional. Go to the Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK) if you need to. The journey of discovery will be an enlightening process. The key is taking the first step. Always remember that.

And it’s time to rethink happiness. Does it mesh well with the reality of living and the current and near-term economic situation? What if somebody told you that authentic happiness has something to do with living within our means? By this I mean living with less and manageable debts, limited financial obligations, delaying buying big ticket items, having emergency funds, etc. These can all be a form of happiness too.

The key is being flexible with our happiness goals. Financial happiness is in our hands. It’s your choice.

EDWARD WONG
Menglembu, Perak

Source: The Star Online | 27 June 2017

NEWS

Posted at Jun 17, 2017

SUMBER data Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) pada 2015, 2016 dan 2017 menunjukkan terdapat trend permohonan pinjaman menjelang Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Antara jenis pinjaman dalam indikasi trend tersebut adalah pinjaman pembelian kereta, kad kredit dan pinjaman peribadi.

Sebanyak RM71,511.3 juta permohonan direkodkan bagi tahun 2015 dan RM66,078.2 juta pada 2016. Bagi 2017, pada bulan April sahaja permohonan pinjaman berjumlah RM22,520.4 juta direkodkan.

Walau bagaimanapun, permohonan yang diluluskan pada 2015 adalah sebanyak RM21,285.2 juta atau 30 peratus, sementara pada 2016, sebanyak RM28,519.5 juta atau 42 peratus diluluskan. Bagi April 2017, sebanyak 36 peratus permohonan bernilai RM8,208 juta diluluskan.

Berdasarkan analisis tersebut, Pengurus Besar Operasi Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK), Noor Fazleen Zakaria memberitahu, tidak dinafikan wujud individu yang boros berbelanja untuk menyambut hari raya.

Beliau berkata, segelintir masyarakat masih gagal merancang perbelanjaan dan lebih membimbangkan adalah belanja selepas raya.

“Berbelanja melebihi keperluan menyebabkan ramai boros dan apabila perbelanjaan melebihi bajet, maka wujud keinginan untuk membuat pinjaman.

“Paling membimbangkan adalah mereka yang membuat pinjaman untuk membeli kereta sempena Aidilfitri, sedangkan tidak ada keperluan untuk berbuat demikian.

“Orang ramai kena sedar, 25 peratus daripada kes muflis disebabkan sewa beli termasuk beli kereta,” katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia Sabtu.

Tambah Noor Fazleen lagi, orang ramai yang menerima gaji lebih awal dan mendapat pendahuluan seperti pinjaman daripada majikan perlu bijak berbelanja.

“Sebagai contoh, kakitangan kerajaan yang menerima gaji lebih awal daripada biasa perlu bijak mengurus kewangan mereka.

“Lebih selamat apabila mereka mengutamakan komitmen bulanan terlebih dahulu seperti bil utiliti, ansuran rumah serta kenderaan dan pinjaman lain.

“Jika terlebih berbelanja untuk persiapan raya, kelak lepas raya nanti, hendak beli makanan pun tak ada duit. Jadi, berhati-hati dan ukur baju di badan sendiri,” nasihatnya.

Sumber: Utusan Online | 17 Jun 2017

Ukur baju di badan sendiri

NEWS

Posted at Jun 17, 2017

SUMBER data Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) pada 2015, 2016 dan 2017 menunjukkan terdapat trend permohonan pinjaman menjelang Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Antara jenis pinjaman dalam indikasi trend tersebut adalah pinjaman pembelian kereta, kad kredit dan pinjaman peribadi.

Sebanyak RM71,511.3 juta permohonan direkodkan bagi tahun 2015 dan RM66,078.2 juta pada 2016. Bagi 2017, pada bulan April sahaja permohonan pinjaman berjumlah RM22,520.4 juta direkodkan.

Walau bagaimanapun, permohonan yang diluluskan pada 2015 adalah sebanyak RM21,285.2 juta atau 30 peratus, sementara pada 2016, sebanyak RM28,519.5 juta atau 42 peratus diluluskan. Bagi April 2017, sebanyak 36 peratus permohonan bernilai RM8,208 juta diluluskan.

Berdasarkan analisis tersebut, Pengurus Besar Operasi Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK), Noor Fazleen Zakaria memberitahu, tidak dinafikan wujud individu yang boros berbelanja untuk menyambut hari raya.

Beliau berkata, segelintir masyarakat masih gagal merancang perbelanjaan dan lebih membimbangkan adalah belanja selepas raya.

“Berbelanja melebihi keperluan menyebabkan ramai boros dan apabila perbelanjaan melebihi bajet, maka wujud keinginan untuk membuat pinjaman.

“Paling membimbangkan adalah mereka yang membuat pinjaman untuk membeli kereta sempena Aidilfitri, sedangkan tidak ada keperluan untuk berbuat demikian.

“Orang ramai kena sedar, 25 peratus daripada kes muflis disebabkan sewa beli termasuk beli kereta,” katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia Sabtu.

Tambah Noor Fazleen lagi, orang ramai yang menerima gaji lebih awal dan mendapat pendahuluan seperti pinjaman daripada majikan perlu bijak berbelanja.

“Sebagai contoh, kakitangan kerajaan yang menerima gaji lebih awal daripada biasa perlu bijak mengurus kewangan mereka.

“Lebih selamat apabila mereka mengutamakan komitmen bulanan terlebih dahulu seperti bil utiliti, ansuran rumah serta kenderaan dan pinjaman lain.

“Jika terlebih berbelanja untuk persiapan raya, kelak lepas raya nanti, hendak beli makanan pun tak ada duit. Jadi, berhati-hati dan ukur baju di badan sendiri,” nasihatnya.

Sumber: Utusan Online | 17 Jun 2017

Jun 17, 2017 | UtusanOnline

NEWS

Posted at Jun 17, 2017

SUMBER data Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) pada 2015, 2016 dan 2017 menunjukkan terdapat trend permohonan pinjaman menjelang Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Antara jenis pinjaman dalam indikasi trend tersebut adalah pinjaman pembelian kereta, kad kredit dan pinjaman peribadi.

Sebanyak RM71,511.3 juta permohonan direkodkan bagi tahun 2015 dan RM66,078.2 juta pada 2016. Bagi 2017, pada bulan April sahaja permohonan pinjaman berjumlah RM22,520.4 juta direkodkan.

Walau bagaimanapun, permohonan yang diluluskan pada 2015 adalah sebanyak RM21,285.2 juta atau 30 peratus, sementara pada 2016, sebanyak RM28,519.5 juta atau 42 peratus diluluskan. Bagi April 2017, sebanyak 36 peratus permohonan bernilai RM8,208 juta diluluskan.

Berdasarkan analisis tersebut, Pengurus Besar Operasi Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK), Noor Fazleen Zakaria memberitahu, tidak dinafikan wujud individu yang boros berbelanja untuk menyambut hari raya.

Beliau berkata, segelintir masyarakat masih gagal merancang perbelanjaan dan lebih membimbangkan adalah belanja selepas raya.

“Berbelanja melebihi keperluan menyebabkan ramai boros dan apabila perbelanjaan melebihi bajet, maka wujud keinginan untuk membuat pinjaman.

“Paling membimbangkan adalah mereka yang membuat pinjaman untuk membeli kereta sempena Aidilfitri, sedangkan tidak ada keperluan untuk berbuat demikian.

“Orang ramai kena sedar, 25 peratus daripada kes muflis disebabkan sewa beli termasuk beli kereta,” katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia Sabtu.

Tambah Noor Fazleen lagi, orang ramai yang menerima gaji lebih awal dan mendapat pendahuluan seperti pinjaman daripada majikan perlu bijak berbelanja.

“Sebagai contoh, kakitangan kerajaan yang menerima gaji lebih awal daripada biasa perlu bijak mengurus kewangan mereka.

“Lebih selamat apabila mereka mengutamakan komitmen bulanan terlebih dahulu seperti bil utiliti, ansuran rumah serta kenderaan dan pinjaman lain.

“Jika terlebih berbelanja untuk persiapan raya, kelak lepas raya nanti, hendak beli makanan pun tak ada duit. Jadi, berhati-hati dan ukur baju di badan sendiri,” nasihatnya.

Sumber: Utusan Online | 17 Jun 2017

NEWS

Posted at Jun 16, 2017

I CAME across “The Avocado Toast Index: How many breakfasts to buy a house?” on BBC.com recently.

The article takes a jibe at the lives of some millennials who would rather waste their money on an Instagram-mable breakfast than make sensible investments like buying a house.

Though I am not a millennial nor do I splurge on fancy toasts or overpriced lattes, I had my fair share of financial woes during my late 20s.

My divorce fees were putting a toll on my finances and because of that, I lapsed payment in my hire purchase loan and nearly got my car taken from me when my first-born and I were alone inside the car.

That incident shook me and I vowed never to put myself and especially my daughter in that embarrassing situation again.

I am now quite particular about paying my bills on time. I pay my credit cards dues in full and I have a budget drawn and monitored monthly.

I only use my credit card for payments of which I have money to pay back. The only reason why I use my credit card is so I can collect points that can be converted to mile points for travel.

I keep all receipts because I like to know where my money is going and how I can trim costs further. Now that I don’t have a full-time helper, I am more involved in the upkeep of the pantry and household products. I used to find it odd that I would spend so much on detergent and other cleaning products.

Now that I clean, wash and cook, I realise I save so much more – probably because I use these household products in the right amount?

Even with food, I portion my food produce accordingly so I just take it out for one meal and not have to defrost the whole chicken, for instance.

I am a firm believer in segregating waste, especially kitchen waste, so I feel the pinch when I see good food go in the bin.

I think it is very important to have a savings plan and manage your finances. Some people are great at managing their finances, while some struggle.

How do you know if you need to change the way you handle your finances? Here are nine signs to help you according to Miriam Caldwell, a personal finance adviser.

1. Relying on your credit cards.

Running into the red may happen occasionally but if you find yourself relying on your cards each month, it’s time to identify areas where you are overspending.

2. Late payments.

If you keep forgetting, maybe try to schedule your payments to come out automatically or pay all of your bills all at once at the beginning of the month (I do this and it gives me the reality of how little I have left to splurge on). If you don’t have the money to pay the bills on time, a budget and some careful planning can help you pay all of the bills.

3. Sleepless nights worried about money issues.

When you have a budget that you can stick to and an emergency fund saved up, you can rest easier.

4. No communication with your spouse.

It can be frustrating to merge two different styles of managing your money and many couples struggle with this for several years into their marriage. My parents were the complete opposite when it came to handling finances. Mum was extremely frugal and careful, while my dad usually depleted his resources due to his generosity – trying to assist the kampung folks who almost never paid back their loans. Though religion teaches one to be charitable, there needs to be a time when one needs to tow the line.

5. You don’t have a budget.

If you do not set a budget, it is too easy to lie to yourself about your finances.

6. Overwhelmed by amount of debt.

In Malaysia, you can seek the help of the credit counselling and debt management agency or commonly known as Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK), set up by Bank Negara Malaysia to help individuals take control of their financial situation (www.akpk.org.my).

7. Stuck in a financial rut. Once you know what to do, it is a lot easier to motivate yourself to actually start doing it.

8. You run out of money too early in the month.

My assistant was constantly asking for an advance to tide her over until the end of the month when I finally decided enough is enough. I sat down with her and poured through her bills and told her that she needed to trim down on unnecessary stuff such as makeup and new clothes.

9. Every bump in the road is a catastrophe.

When you are struggling financially, even a trip to the doctor or paying for a car repair can feel like the world is coming to an end. Again, it all boils down to setting and sticking to a realistic budget and to start saving for an emergency fund.

My financial goal is to be free of debts, to have saved enough for my retirement and for all my children to at least complete their tertiary education.

It’s still a long way coming, but setting that budget and sticking to it is the most important step in getting there.

The writer dreams of retiring in her home state of Sabah and living in a sustainable community growing her own produce, and rearing her own farm animals. Catch her vlogs via her YouTube Channel: Daphne Iking

Source: The Star Online | 16 June 2017

Identifying financial alarm be...

NEWS

Posted at Jun 16, 2017

I CAME across “The Avocado Toast Index: How many breakfasts to buy a house?” on BBC.com recently.

The article takes a jibe at the lives of some millennials who would rather waste their money on an Instagram-mable breakfast than make sensible investments like buying a house.

Though I am not a millennial nor do I splurge on fancy toasts or overpriced lattes, I had my fair share of financial woes during my late 20s.

My divorce fees were putting a toll on my finances and because of that, I lapsed payment in my hire purchase loan and nearly got my car taken from me when my first-born and I were alone inside the car.

That incident shook me and I vowed never to put myself and especially my daughter in that embarrassing situation again.

I am now quite particular about paying my bills on time. I pay my credit cards dues in full and I have a budget drawn and monitored monthly.

I only use my credit card for payments of which I have money to pay back. The only reason why I use my credit card is so I can collect points that can be converted to mile points for travel.

I keep all receipts because I like to know where my money is going and how I can trim costs further. Now that I don’t have a full-time helper, I am more involved in the upkeep of the pantry and household products. I used to find it odd that I would spend so much on detergent and other cleaning products.

Now that I clean, wash and cook, I realise I save so much more – probably because I use these household products in the right amount?

Even with food, I portion my food produce accordingly so I just take it out for one meal and not have to defrost the whole chicken, for instance.

I am a firm believer in segregating waste, especially kitchen waste, so I feel the pinch when I see good food go in the bin.

I think it is very important to have a savings plan and manage your finances. Some people are great at managing their finances, while some struggle.

How do you know if you need to change the way you handle your finances? Here are nine signs to help you according to Miriam Caldwell, a personal finance adviser.

1. Relying on your credit cards.

Running into the red may happen occasionally but if you find yourself relying on your cards each month, it’s time to identify areas where you are overspending.

2. Late payments.

If you keep forgetting, maybe try to schedule your payments to come out automatically or pay all of your bills all at once at the beginning of the month (I do this and it gives me the reality of how little I have left to splurge on). If you don’t have the money to pay the bills on time, a budget and some careful planning can help you pay all of the bills.

3. Sleepless nights worried about money issues.

When you have a budget that you can stick to and an emergency fund saved up, you can rest easier.

4. No communication with your spouse.

It can be frustrating to merge two different styles of managing your money and many couples struggle with this for several years into their marriage. My parents were the complete opposite when it came to handling finances. Mum was extremely frugal and careful, while my dad usually depleted his resources due to his generosity – trying to assist the kampung folks who almost never paid back their loans. Though religion teaches one to be charitable, there needs to be a time when one needs to tow the line.

5. You don’t have a budget.

If you do not set a budget, it is too easy to lie to yourself about your finances.

6. Overwhelmed by amount of debt.

In Malaysia, you can seek the help of the credit counselling and debt management agency or commonly known as Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK), set up by Bank Negara Malaysia to help individuals take control of their financial situation (www.akpk.org.my).

7. Stuck in a financial rut. Once you know what to do, it is a lot easier to motivate yourself to actually start doing it.

8. You run out of money too early in the month.

My assistant was constantly asking for an advance to tide her over until the end of the month when I finally decided enough is enough. I sat down with her and poured through her bills and told her that she needed to trim down on unnecessary stuff such as makeup and new clothes.

9. Every bump in the road is a catastrophe.

When you are struggling financially, even a trip to the doctor or paying for a car repair can feel like the world is coming to an end. Again, it all boils down to setting and sticking to a realistic budget and to start saving for an emergency fund.

My financial goal is to be free of debts, to have saved enough for my retirement and for all my children to at least complete their tertiary education.

It’s still a long way coming, but setting that budget and sticking to it is the most important step in getting there.

The writer dreams of retiring in her home state of Sabah and living in a sustainable community growing her own produce, and rearing her own farm animals. Catch her vlogs via her YouTube Channel: Daphne Iking

Source: The Star Online | 16 June 2017

Jun 16, 2017 | TheStarOnline

NEWS

Posted at Jun 16, 2017

I CAME across “The Avocado Toast Index: How many breakfasts to buy a house?” on BBC.com recently.

The article takes a jibe at the lives of some millennials who would rather waste their money on an Instagram-mable breakfast than make sensible investments like buying a house.

Though I am not a millennial nor do I splurge on fancy toasts or overpriced lattes, I had my fair share of financial woes during my late 20s.

My divorce fees were putting a toll on my finances and because of that, I lapsed payment in my hire purchase loan and nearly got my car taken from me when my first-born and I were alone inside the car.

That incident shook me and I vowed never to put myself and especially my daughter in that embarrassing situation again.

I am now quite particular about paying my bills on time. I pay my credit cards dues in full and I have a budget drawn and monitored monthly.

I only use my credit card for payments of which I have money to pay back. The only reason why I use my credit card is so I can collect points that can be converted to mile points for travel.

I keep all receipts because I like to know where my money is going and how I can trim costs further. Now that I don’t have a full-time helper, I am more involved in the upkeep of the pantry and household products. I used to find it odd that I would spend so much on detergent and other cleaning products.

Now that I clean, wash and cook, I realise I save so much more – probably because I use these household products in the right amount?

Even with food, I portion my food produce accordingly so I just take it out for one meal and not have to defrost the whole chicken, for instance.

I am a firm believer in segregating waste, especially kitchen waste, so I feel the pinch when I see good food go in the bin.

I think it is very important to have a savings plan and manage your finances. Some people are great at managing their finances, while some struggle.

How do you know if you need to change the way you handle your finances? Here are nine signs to help you according to Miriam Caldwell, a personal finance adviser.

1. Relying on your credit cards.

Running into the red may happen occasionally but if you find yourself relying on your cards each month, it’s time to identify areas where you are overspending.

2. Late payments.

If you keep forgetting, maybe try to schedule your payments to come out automatically or pay all of your bills all at once at the beginning of the month (I do this and it gives me the reality of how little I have left to splurge on). If you don’t have the money to pay the bills on time, a budget and some careful planning can help you pay all of the bills.

3. Sleepless nights worried about money issues.

When you have a budget that you can stick to and an emergency fund saved up, you can rest easier.

4. No communication with your spouse.

It can be frustrating to merge two different styles of managing your money and many couples struggle with this for several years into their marriage. My parents were the complete opposite when it came to handling finances. Mum was extremely frugal and careful, while my dad usually depleted his resources due to his generosity – trying to assist the kampung folks who almost never paid back their loans. Though religion teaches one to be charitable, there needs to be a time when one needs to tow the line.

5. You don’t have a budget.

If you do not set a budget, it is too easy to lie to yourself about your finances.

6. Overwhelmed by amount of debt.

In Malaysia, you can seek the help of the credit counselling and debt management agency or commonly known as Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK), set up by Bank Negara Malaysia to help individuals take control of their financial situation (www.akpk.org.my).

7. Stuck in a financial rut. Once you know what to do, it is a lot easier to motivate yourself to actually start doing it.

8. You run out of money too early in the month.

My assistant was constantly asking for an advance to tide her over until the end of the month when I finally decided enough is enough. I sat down with her and poured through her bills and told her that she needed to trim down on unnecessary stuff such as makeup and new clothes.

9. Every bump in the road is a catastrophe.

When you are struggling financially, even a trip to the doctor or paying for a car repair can feel like the world is coming to an end. Again, it all boils down to setting and sticking to a realistic budget and to start saving for an emergency fund.

My financial goal is to be free of debts, to have saved enough for my retirement and for all my children to at least complete their tertiary education.

It’s still a long way coming, but setting that budget and sticking to it is the most important step in getting there.

The writer dreams of retiring in her home state of Sabah and living in a sustainable community growing her own produce, and rearing her own farm animals. Catch her vlogs via her YouTube Channel: Daphne Iking

Source: The Star Online | 16 June 2017

AKPK bantu 580,109 individu se...
Jun 13, 2017 | UtusanOnline

NEWS

Posted at Jun 13, 2017

KUALA LUMPUR: Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) menyelesaikan 13,794 kes pengurusan kredit berjumlah RM561 juta untuk tempoh empat bulan pertama tahun ini. Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif AKPK, Azaddin Ngah Tasir, berkata sebahagian besar masalah kewangan berkenaan iaitu 46.5 peratus berpunca daripada perancangan kewangan yang lemah, diikuti kos sara hidup tinggi (16.2 peratus) dan kegagalan perniagaan (15.1 peratus). Beliau berkata, punca lain masalah kewangan meruncing adalah perbelanjaan perubatan tinggi iaitu 10 peratus, hilang sumber pendapatan (9.6 peratus) dan lain-lain (2.6 peratus). "Sejak penubuhan AKPK hingga 31 Mei lalu, seramai 185,304 individu mendapatkan khidmat bantuan Program Pengurusan Kredit (PPK). "Seramai 580,109 individu yang mengalami masalah kewangan dalam tempoh sama diberi kaunseling. Peratusan permohonan PPK daripada kaunseling berkurang kepada 31.9 peratus berbanding 32.9 peratus tahun lalu," katanya. Beliau ditemui pada Majlis Berbuka Puasa bersama media dan sesi rakaman Raudhah Khas Raya Nasional FM 2017 bersama Datuk Kazim Elias di sini, malam ini. Yang turut hadir, Penolong Gabenor Bank Negara, Datuk Abu Hassan AlShari Yahaya; Pengarah Bahagian Program Radio RTM, Datuk Mustafa Kamal Abdul Razak dan Ketua Aktivis Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia (PPIM), Datuk Nadzim Johan.

Sementara itu, AKPK turut melancarkan klip video 'Sahabat Raya' yang menyampaikan mesej persahabatan ikhlas dan saling membantu bagi menjamin masa depan cerah. Klip video versi penuh boleh dilayari bermula malam ini melalui media sosial Facebook AKPK, bit.ly/AKPKSahabatRaya dan YouTube. Azaddin berkata, video itu mengisahkan dua sahabat sejak kecil, Azam yang dihimpit kesusahan hidup sering dibantu sahabat baiknya, Hadli. Dua sahabat itu terpisah apabila Hadli berpindah ke ibu kota dan tidak sempat meraikan Aidilfitri bersama. Selepas 40 tahun, Azam mula mengecapi kehidupan senang dan bertekad mencari kawannya, Hadli. Malangnya, Hadli ditemui hidup miskin dan Azam berjanji membalas jasa serta menjaga sahabatnya itu.

Sumber : Berita Harian Online | 9 June 2017

AKPK selesaikan 13,794 kes kew...

NEWS

Posted at Jun 13, 2017

KUALA LUMPUR: Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) menyelesaikan 13,794 kes pengurusan kredit berjumlah RM561 juta untuk tempoh empat bulan pertama tahun ini. Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif AKPK, Azaddin Ngah Tasir, berkata sebahagian besar masalah kewangan berkenaan iaitu 46.5 peratus berpunca daripada perancangan kewangan yang lemah, diikuti kos sara hidup tinggi (16.2 peratus) dan kegagalan perniagaan (15.1 peratus). Beliau berkata, punca lain masalah kewangan meruncing adalah perbelanjaan perubatan tinggi iaitu 10 peratus, hilang sumber pendapatan (9.6 peratus) dan lain-lain (2.6 peratus). "Sejak penubuhan AKPK hingga 31 Mei lalu, seramai 185,304 individu mendapatkan khidmat bantuan Program Pengurusan Kredit (PPK). "Seramai 580,109 individu yang mengalami masalah kewangan dalam tempoh sama diberi kaunseling. Peratusan permohonan PPK daripada kaunseling berkurang kepada 31.9 peratus berbanding 32.9 peratus tahun lalu," katanya. Beliau ditemui pada Majlis Berbuka Puasa bersama media dan sesi rakaman Raudhah Khas Raya Nasional FM 2017 bersama Datuk Kazim Elias di sini, malam ini. Yang turut hadir, Penolong Gabenor Bank Negara, Datuk Abu Hassan AlShari Yahaya; Pengarah Bahagian Program Radio RTM, Datuk Mustafa Kamal Abdul Razak dan Ketua Aktivis Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia (PPIM), Datuk Nadzim Johan.

Sementara itu, AKPK turut melancarkan klip video 'Sahabat Raya' yang menyampaikan mesej persahabatan ikhlas dan saling membantu bagi menjamin masa depan cerah. Klip video versi penuh boleh dilayari bermula malam ini melalui media sosial Facebook AKPK, bit.ly/AKPKSahabatRaya dan YouTube. Azaddin berkata, video itu mengisahkan dua sahabat sejak kecil, Azam yang dihimpit kesusahan hidup sering dibantu sahabat baiknya, Hadli. Dua sahabat itu terpisah apabila Hadli berpindah ke ibu kota dan tidak sempat meraikan Aidilfitri bersama. Selepas 40 tahun, Azam mula mengecapi kehidupan senang dan bertekad mencari kawannya, Hadli. Malangnya, Hadli ditemui hidup miskin dan Azam berjanji membalas jasa serta menjaga sahabatnya itu.

Sumber : Berita Harian Online | 9 June 2017

Jun 13, 2017 | BHOnline

NEWS

Posted at Jun 13, 2017

KUALA LUMPUR: Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) menyelesaikan 13,794 kes pengurusan kredit berjumlah RM561 juta untuk tempoh empat bulan pertama tahun ini. Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif AKPK, Azaddin Ngah Tasir, berkata sebahagian besar masalah kewangan berkenaan iaitu 46.5 peratus berpunca daripada perancangan kewangan yang lemah, diikuti kos sara hidup tinggi (16.2 peratus) dan kegagalan perniagaan (15.1 peratus). Beliau berkata, punca lain masalah kewangan meruncing adalah perbelanjaan perubatan tinggi iaitu 10 peratus, hilang sumber pendapatan (9.6 peratus) dan lain-lain (2.6 peratus). "Sejak penubuhan AKPK hingga 31 Mei lalu, seramai 185,304 individu mendapatkan khidmat bantuan Program Pengurusan Kredit (PPK). "Seramai 580,109 individu yang mengalami masalah kewangan dalam tempoh sama diberi kaunseling. Peratusan permohonan PPK daripada kaunseling berkurang kepada 31.9 peratus berbanding 32.9 peratus tahun lalu," katanya. Beliau ditemui pada Majlis Berbuka Puasa bersama media dan sesi rakaman Raudhah Khas Raya Nasional FM 2017 bersama Datuk Kazim Elias di sini, malam ini. Yang turut hadir, Penolong Gabenor Bank Negara, Datuk Abu Hassan AlShari Yahaya; Pengarah Bahagian Program Radio RTM, Datuk Mustafa Kamal Abdul Razak dan Ketua Aktivis Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia (PPIM), Datuk Nadzim Johan.

Sementara itu, AKPK turut melancarkan klip video 'Sahabat Raya' yang menyampaikan mesej persahabatan ikhlas dan saling membantu bagi menjamin masa depan cerah. Klip video versi penuh boleh dilayari bermula malam ini melalui media sosial Facebook AKPK, bit.ly/AKPKSahabatRaya dan YouTube. Azaddin berkata, video itu mengisahkan dua sahabat sejak kecil, Azam yang dihimpit kesusahan hidup sering dibantu sahabat baiknya, Hadli. Dua sahabat itu terpisah apabila Hadli berpindah ke ibu kota dan tidak sempat meraikan Aidilfitri bersama. Selepas 40 tahun, Azam mula mengecapi kehidupan senang dan bertekad mencari kawannya, Hadli. Malangnya, Hadli ditemui hidup miskin dan Azam berjanji membalas jasa serta menjaga sahabatnya itu.

Sumber : Berita Harian Online | 9 June 2017

NEWS

Posted at May 24, 2017

SHAH ALAM: SME Corp Malaysia menyasarkan 12,000 usahawan belia dilatih sehingga tahun 2020 melalui Program Tunas Usahawan Belia Bumiputera (TUBE).
Tahun ini, penganjuran TUBE akan diteruskan dengan edisi pertama TUBE Mega yang akan membabitkan penyertaan 1,000 belia Bumiputera, berbanding 500 peserta sebelum ini.

TUBE Mega tahun ini akan membabitkan penjenamaan bersama SME Corp Malaysia dan TERAJU, yang mana pelaksanaan program itu sejajar dengan salah satu inisiatif di bawah Transformasi Ekonomi Bumiputera (BETR) 2.0 yang dilaksanakan oleh TERAJU. Ia sekali gus menyokong inisiatif Transformasi Kesejahteraan Bumiputera (TKB) yang diumumkan oleh Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, baru-baru ini.
Program TUBE Mega dilancarkan secara rasmi oleh Timbalan Menteri Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri, Datuk Ahmad Haji Maslan, di Dataran SACC Mall, di sini bersempena Minggu PKS 2017 peringkat Selangor.

Pembabitan Pelbagai Pihak
Program itu dilaksanakan oleh SME Corp dengan kerjasama Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi, Kementerian Belia dan Sukan, Kementerian Pertanian Malaysia, Kementerian Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga dan Masyarakat, Kementerian Kemajuan Luar Bandar dan Wilayah, Unit Perancang Ekonomi (UPE) dan TERAJU di bawah JPM. Ia juga membabitkan Jabatan Latihan Khidmat Negara, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia melalui UKM-CESMED, Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia (SSM), Credit Guarantee Corporation (CGC), Kumpulan SME Bank, Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) dan Jabatan Pembangunan Wanita.

Turut serta, Permodalan Usahawan Nasional Berhad, Telekom Malaysia Berhad, Persatuan Usahawan Generasi Muda Berjaya Malaysia, Majlis Belia Malaysia, 9TERAJU Malaysia Exclusive, Syarikat ABX Express Sdn Bhd dan Maybank sebagai Bank Rasmi Program TUBE Mega.

TUBE Mega tahun ini juga bakal menyaksikan penyertaan dua rakan strategik baharu iaitu Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) dan Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) yang berfungsi di dalam menyumbang kepada kejayaan pelaksanaan program ini.

Pembabitan MDEC dilihat dapat meningkatkan kesedaran dan kemahiran perniagaan atas talian (online) oleh TUBErs sedia ada dan baharu. Melalui kerjasama itu juga, pemohon yang tidak terpilih untuk mengikuti Program TUBE akan diberi peluang untuk mengikuti Program E-Usahawan yang dikendalikan oleh MDEC. Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) selaku Agensi di bawah Bank Negara turut bekerjasama dengan SME Corp dalam memberikan bimbingan dan khidmat nasihat mengenai kaedah pengurusan kewangan yang cekap dan berkesan serta membantu usahawan supaya ''cekap wang'' di samping memantapkan pengurusan kewangan sedia ada.

- Berita Harian | 24 Mei 2017

SME Corp sasar latih 12,000 pe...

NEWS

Posted at May 24, 2017

SHAH ALAM: SME Corp Malaysia menyasarkan 12,000 usahawan belia dilatih sehingga tahun 2020 melalui Program Tunas Usahawan Belia Bumiputera (TUBE).
Tahun ini, penganjuran TUBE akan diteruskan dengan edisi pertama TUBE Mega yang akan membabitkan penyertaan 1,000 belia Bumiputera, berbanding 500 peserta sebelum ini.

TUBE Mega tahun ini akan membabitkan penjenamaan bersama SME Corp Malaysia dan TERAJU, yang mana pelaksanaan program itu sejajar dengan salah satu inisiatif di bawah Transformasi Ekonomi Bumiputera (BETR) 2.0 yang dilaksanakan oleh TERAJU. Ia sekali gus menyokong inisiatif Transformasi Kesejahteraan Bumiputera (TKB) yang diumumkan oleh Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, baru-baru ini.
Program TUBE Mega dilancarkan secara rasmi oleh Timbalan Menteri Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri, Datuk Ahmad Haji Maslan, di Dataran SACC Mall, di sini bersempena Minggu PKS 2017 peringkat Selangor.

Pembabitan Pelbagai Pihak
Program itu dilaksanakan oleh SME Corp dengan kerjasama Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi, Kementerian Belia dan Sukan, Kementerian Pertanian Malaysia, Kementerian Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga dan Masyarakat, Kementerian Kemajuan Luar Bandar dan Wilayah, Unit Perancang Ekonomi (UPE) dan TERAJU di bawah JPM. Ia juga membabitkan Jabatan Latihan Khidmat Negara, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia melalui UKM-CESMED, Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia (SSM), Credit Guarantee Corporation (CGC), Kumpulan SME Bank, Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) dan Jabatan Pembangunan Wanita.

Turut serta, Permodalan Usahawan Nasional Berhad, Telekom Malaysia Berhad, Persatuan Usahawan Generasi Muda Berjaya Malaysia, Majlis Belia Malaysia, 9TERAJU Malaysia Exclusive, Syarikat ABX Express Sdn Bhd dan Maybank sebagai Bank Rasmi Program TUBE Mega.

TUBE Mega tahun ini juga bakal menyaksikan penyertaan dua rakan strategik baharu iaitu Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) dan Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) yang berfungsi di dalam menyumbang kepada kejayaan pelaksanaan program ini.

Pembabitan MDEC dilihat dapat meningkatkan kesedaran dan kemahiran perniagaan atas talian (online) oleh TUBErs sedia ada dan baharu. Melalui kerjasama itu juga, pemohon yang tidak terpilih untuk mengikuti Program TUBE akan diberi peluang untuk mengikuti Program E-Usahawan yang dikendalikan oleh MDEC. Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) selaku Agensi di bawah Bank Negara turut bekerjasama dengan SME Corp dalam memberikan bimbingan dan khidmat nasihat mengenai kaedah pengurusan kewangan yang cekap dan berkesan serta membantu usahawan supaya ''cekap wang'' di samping memantapkan pengurusan kewangan sedia ada.

- Berita Harian | 24 Mei 2017

May 24, 2017 | BHOnline

NEWS

Posted at May 24, 2017

SHAH ALAM: SME Corp Malaysia menyasarkan 12,000 usahawan belia dilatih sehingga tahun 2020 melalui Program Tunas Usahawan Belia Bumiputera (TUBE).
Tahun ini, penganjuran TUBE akan diteruskan dengan edisi pertama TUBE Mega yang akan membabitkan penyertaan 1,000 belia Bumiputera, berbanding 500 peserta sebelum ini.

TUBE Mega tahun ini akan membabitkan penjenamaan bersama SME Corp Malaysia dan TERAJU, yang mana pelaksanaan program itu sejajar dengan salah satu inisiatif di bawah Transformasi Ekonomi Bumiputera (BETR) 2.0 yang dilaksanakan oleh TERAJU. Ia sekali gus menyokong inisiatif Transformasi Kesejahteraan Bumiputera (TKB) yang diumumkan oleh Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, baru-baru ini.
Program TUBE Mega dilancarkan secara rasmi oleh Timbalan Menteri Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri, Datuk Ahmad Haji Maslan, di Dataran SACC Mall, di sini bersempena Minggu PKS 2017 peringkat Selangor.

Pembabitan Pelbagai Pihak
Program itu dilaksanakan oleh SME Corp dengan kerjasama Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi, Kementerian Belia dan Sukan, Kementerian Pertanian Malaysia, Kementerian Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga dan Masyarakat, Kementerian Kemajuan Luar Bandar dan Wilayah, Unit Perancang Ekonomi (UPE) dan TERAJU di bawah JPM. Ia juga membabitkan Jabatan Latihan Khidmat Negara, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia melalui UKM-CESMED, Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia (SSM), Credit Guarantee Corporation (CGC), Kumpulan SME Bank, Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) dan Jabatan Pembangunan Wanita.

Turut serta, Permodalan Usahawan Nasional Berhad, Telekom Malaysia Berhad, Persatuan Usahawan Generasi Muda Berjaya Malaysia, Majlis Belia Malaysia, 9TERAJU Malaysia Exclusive, Syarikat ABX Express Sdn Bhd dan Maybank sebagai Bank Rasmi Program TUBE Mega.

TUBE Mega tahun ini juga bakal menyaksikan penyertaan dua rakan strategik baharu iaitu Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) dan Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) yang berfungsi di dalam menyumbang kepada kejayaan pelaksanaan program ini.

Pembabitan MDEC dilihat dapat meningkatkan kesedaran dan kemahiran perniagaan atas talian (online) oleh TUBErs sedia ada dan baharu. Melalui kerjasama itu juga, pemohon yang tidak terpilih untuk mengikuti Program TUBE akan diberi peluang untuk mengikuti Program E-Usahawan yang dikendalikan oleh MDEC. Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) selaku Agensi di bawah Bank Negara turut bekerjasama dengan SME Corp dalam memberikan bimbingan dan khidmat nasihat mengenai kaedah pengurusan kewangan yang cekap dan berkesan serta membantu usahawan supaya ''cekap wang'' di samping memantapkan pengurusan kewangan sedia ada.

- Berita Harian | 24 Mei 2017

NEWS

Posted at May 24, 2017

Shah Alam: SME Corporation Malaysia (SME Corp) komited untuk melahirkan 12,000 usahawan muda Bumiputera yang versatil menerusi Program Tunas Usahawan Belia Bumiputera (TUBE) Mega menjelang 2020.

Melalui pelaksanaan program TUBE Mega, dianggarkan 37,000 peluang pekerjaan baru dapat diwujudkan yang berupaya menjana RM1.1 bilion nilai jualan terkumpul serta menyumbang RM450 juta kepada Keluaran Dalam Negara Kasar (KDNK).

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif SME Corp Datuk Hafsah Hashim berkata, kumpulan pertama TUBE Mega itu bakal membabitkan penyertaan 1,000 belia Bumiputera berbanding 500 belia bagi program sebelum ini.

Beliau berkata, peserta yang terpilih menyertai program keusahawanan itu akan dilatih dan dipersiapkan dengan pelbagai input sebelum membabitkan diri dalam dunia perniagaan dan keusahawanan.

“Program TUBE Mega ini dijalankan dalam skala besar dengan jangkaan peningkatan sebanyak 2,000 usahawan pada 2018, 3,000 usahawan (2019) dan 5,000 usahawan (2020) sehingga mencapai sasaran 12,000 belia yang dilatih.

“Bagi program ini, RM20 juta diperuntukkan iaitu RM11 juta dari Unit Peneraju Bumiputera (TERAJU) dan RM9 juta lagi daripada Unit Perancang Ekonomi (EPU),” katanya pada Majlis Pelancaran TUBE Mega 2017, di sini, kelmarin.

Majlis itu dirasmikan Timbalan Menteri Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri Datuk Ahmad Maslan. Hadir sama Pengarah Kanan TERAJU Megat Mohd Yatim Megat Hamid.

Pada masa sama, turut diadakan majlis pertukaran Memorandum Persefahaman (MoU) antara SME Corp dan lima rakan strategik bagi TUBE Mega iaitu TERAJU, Perbadanan Ekonomi Digital Malaysia (MDeC), Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK), Malayan Banking Berhad (Maybank) dan Nazrol Tech Sdn Bhd.

Hafsah berkata, usaha sama dengan TERAJU sejajar dengan inisiatif di bawah Transformasi Ekonomi Bumiputera (BETR) 2.0 yang turut menyokong Transformasi Kesejahteraan Bumiputera (TKB) dalam agenda memperkasakan ekonomi Bumiputera.

Sejak dilaksanakan pada 2014, program keusahawanan TUBE mewujudkan hampir 3,862 peluang pekerjaan termasuk 2,437 pekerjaan baru dengan nilai jualan RM38.6 juta.

-Harian Metro | 24 Mei 2017

Lahir 12,000 usahawan TUBE

NEWS

Posted at May 24, 2017

Shah Alam: SME Corporation Malaysia (SME Corp) komited untuk melahirkan 12,000 usahawan muda Bumiputera yang versatil menerusi Program Tunas Usahawan Belia Bumiputera (TUBE) Mega menjelang 2020.

Melalui pelaksanaan program TUBE Mega, dianggarkan 37,000 peluang pekerjaan baru dapat diwujudkan yang berupaya menjana RM1.1 bilion nilai jualan terkumpul serta menyumbang RM450 juta kepada Keluaran Dalam Negara Kasar (KDNK).

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif SME Corp Datuk Hafsah Hashim berkata, kumpulan pertama TUBE Mega itu bakal membabitkan penyertaan 1,000 belia Bumiputera berbanding 500 belia bagi program sebelum ini.

Beliau berkata, peserta yang terpilih menyertai program keusahawanan itu akan dilatih dan dipersiapkan dengan pelbagai input sebelum membabitkan diri dalam dunia perniagaan dan keusahawanan.

“Program TUBE Mega ini dijalankan dalam skala besar dengan jangkaan peningkatan sebanyak 2,000 usahawan pada 2018, 3,000 usahawan (2019) dan 5,000 usahawan (2020) sehingga mencapai sasaran 12,000 belia yang dilatih.

“Bagi program ini, RM20 juta diperuntukkan iaitu RM11 juta dari Unit Peneraju Bumiputera (TERAJU) dan RM9 juta lagi daripada Unit Perancang Ekonomi (EPU),” katanya pada Majlis Pelancaran TUBE Mega 2017, di sini, kelmarin.

Majlis itu dirasmikan Timbalan Menteri Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri Datuk Ahmad Maslan. Hadir sama Pengarah Kanan TERAJU Megat Mohd Yatim Megat Hamid.

Pada masa sama, turut diadakan majlis pertukaran Memorandum Persefahaman (MoU) antara SME Corp dan lima rakan strategik bagi TUBE Mega iaitu TERAJU, Perbadanan Ekonomi Digital Malaysia (MDeC), Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK), Malayan Banking Berhad (Maybank) dan Nazrol Tech Sdn Bhd.

Hafsah berkata, usaha sama dengan TERAJU sejajar dengan inisiatif di bawah Transformasi Ekonomi Bumiputera (BETR) 2.0 yang turut menyokong Transformasi Kesejahteraan Bumiputera (TKB) dalam agenda memperkasakan ekonomi Bumiputera.

Sejak dilaksanakan pada 2014, program keusahawanan TUBE mewujudkan hampir 3,862 peluang pekerjaan termasuk 2,437 pekerjaan baru dengan nilai jualan RM38.6 juta.

-Harian Metro | 24 Mei 2017

May 24, 2017 | Harian Metro

NEWS

Posted at May 24, 2017

Shah Alam: SME Corporation Malaysia (SME Corp) komited untuk melahirkan 12,000 usahawan muda Bumiputera yang versatil menerusi Program Tunas Usahawan Belia Bumiputera (TUBE) Mega menjelang 2020.

Melalui pelaksanaan program TUBE Mega, dianggarkan 37,000 peluang pekerjaan baru dapat diwujudkan yang berupaya menjana RM1.1 bilion nilai jualan terkumpul serta menyumbang RM450 juta kepada Keluaran Dalam Negara Kasar (KDNK).

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif SME Corp Datuk Hafsah Hashim berkata, kumpulan pertama TUBE Mega itu bakal membabitkan penyertaan 1,000 belia Bumiputera berbanding 500 belia bagi program sebelum ini.

Beliau berkata, peserta yang terpilih menyertai program keusahawanan itu akan dilatih dan dipersiapkan dengan pelbagai input sebelum membabitkan diri dalam dunia perniagaan dan keusahawanan.

“Program TUBE Mega ini dijalankan dalam skala besar dengan jangkaan peningkatan sebanyak 2,000 usahawan pada 2018, 3,000 usahawan (2019) dan 5,000 usahawan (2020) sehingga mencapai sasaran 12,000 belia yang dilatih.

“Bagi program ini, RM20 juta diperuntukkan iaitu RM11 juta dari Unit Peneraju Bumiputera (TERAJU) dan RM9 juta lagi daripada Unit Perancang Ekonomi (EPU),” katanya pada Majlis Pelancaran TUBE Mega 2017, di sini, kelmarin.

Majlis itu dirasmikan Timbalan Menteri Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri Datuk Ahmad Maslan. Hadir sama Pengarah Kanan TERAJU Megat Mohd Yatim Megat Hamid.

Pada masa sama, turut diadakan majlis pertukaran Memorandum Persefahaman (MoU) antara SME Corp dan lima rakan strategik bagi TUBE Mega iaitu TERAJU, Perbadanan Ekonomi Digital Malaysia (MDeC), Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK), Malayan Banking Berhad (Maybank) dan Nazrol Tech Sdn Bhd.

Hafsah berkata, usaha sama dengan TERAJU sejajar dengan inisiatif di bawah Transformasi Ekonomi Bumiputera (BETR) 2.0 yang turut menyokong Transformasi Kesejahteraan Bumiputera (TKB) dalam agenda memperkasakan ekonomi Bumiputera.

Sejak dilaksanakan pada 2014, program keusahawanan TUBE mewujudkan hampir 3,862 peluang pekerjaan termasuk 2,437 pekerjaan baru dengan nilai jualan RM38.6 juta.

-Harian Metro | 24 Mei 2017

NEWS

Posted at May 23, 2017

KUALA LUMPUR: iMoney, a financial comparison website, is of the opinion that Malaysia has been making great strides in reducing inequality in the country and this can be seen in the country’s GINI-coefficient, which fell from 0.46 in 2002 to 0.401 in 2014.

iMoney co-founder and group CEO Lee Ching Wei further said, in the same period, average monthly household income also grew from RM3,011 to RM6,141.

On the back of the recently-announced gross domestic product (GDP) first quarter results by Bank Negara Malaysia, Lee welcomed the government and Bank Negara’s move in continuing their effort to address income disparity and financial literacy in the country.

"The gap in income equality becomes smaller when the average household income of the bottom 40% grew considerably faster than for the top 20% between 2012 and 2014.

"However, despite the data, those in the bottom 40% group are still deemed acutely and increasingly in need of assistance. This is shown in the increased of BR1M over the years and other housing benefits provided by the government," he told NST Business yesterday when asked to comment on the gross domestic product (GDP) first quarter announcement by Bank Negara Malaysia yesterday.

Lee further said on top of the handouts and financial assistance, a longer-term solution to tackle income inequality would be to improve financial literacy among those in the middle 40% and bottom 40%.

"This can be done by encouraging the people to attend courses or education campaigns done by the Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency or Securities Commission. The education can also be done through different platforms to send the message to different segments of the society, especially through the Internet."

Further, Lee pointed out that financial education should include not just basic saving tips, but also on how to grow one’s funds through legitimate investment products.

Financial education, especially on investment, will also reduce the number of people falling for get-rich-quick schemes.

"Our recent Millennial Survey found that those in the lower income group (earning below RM1,500) spend close to half of their income on food, and if we break it down to the monetary value, it is close to the amount that those in the high income group are spending.

"Efforts should be put into making financial education and planning a breeze. This can be done by attracting more players in the fintech industry, and offering more assistance to the private sector to encourage innovation in the industry," he said.

iMoney also lauded the various programmes and schemes launched by the government to address the issue of housing affordability in the past few years.

However, on top of the 110% loan to those who are unable to save to purchase their first home, or launching rent-to-own schemes for those who are unable to secure a mortgage, financial education on property ownership should be the core of all these implementations.

"Without proper management of your debts, property ownership will not be a sustainable goal because it is a long-term financial commitment. Without proper planning, one wrong financial move may result in you losing your home," he added.

Lee said there are many quick wins implemented over the years but the core of the issue is the lack of financial understanding among Malaysians.

This would be the best way to close the income gap, he said.

- NST | 23 May 2017

M'sia making great stride...

NEWS

Posted at May 23, 2017

KUALA LUMPUR: iMoney, a financial comparison website, is of the opinion that Malaysia has been making great strides in reducing inequality in the country and this can be seen in the country’s GINI-coefficient, which fell from 0.46 in 2002 to 0.401 in 2014.

iMoney co-founder and group CEO Lee Ching Wei further said, in the same period, average monthly household income also grew from RM3,011 to RM6,141.

On the back of the recently-announced gross domestic product (GDP) first quarter results by Bank Negara Malaysia, Lee welcomed the government and Bank Negara’s move in continuing their effort to address income disparity and financial literacy in the country.

"The gap in income equality becomes smaller when the average household income of the bottom 40% grew considerably faster than for the top 20% between 2012 and 2014.

"However, despite the data, those in the bottom 40% group are still deemed acutely and increasingly in need of assistance. This is shown in the increased of BR1M over the years and other housing benefits provided by the government," he told NST Business yesterday when asked to comment on the gross domestic product (GDP) first quarter announcement by Bank Negara Malaysia yesterday.

Lee further said on top of the handouts and financial assistance, a longer-term solution to tackle income inequality would be to improve financial literacy among those in the middle 40% and bottom 40%.

"This can be done by encouraging the people to attend courses or education campaigns done by the Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency or Securities Commission. The education can also be done through different platforms to send the message to different segments of the society, especially through the Internet."

Further, Lee pointed out that financial education should include not just basic saving tips, but also on how to grow one’s funds through legitimate investment products.

Financial education, especially on investment, will also reduce the number of people falling for get-rich-quick schemes.

"Our recent Millennial Survey found that those in the lower income group (earning below RM1,500) spend close to half of their income on food, and if we break it down to the monetary value, it is close to the amount that those in the high income group are spending.

"Efforts should be put into making financial education and planning a breeze. This can be done by attracting more players in the fintech industry, and offering more assistance to the private sector to encourage innovation in the industry," he said.

iMoney also lauded the various programmes and schemes launched by the government to address the issue of housing affordability in the past few years.

However, on top of the 110% loan to those who are unable to save to purchase their first home, or launching rent-to-own schemes for those who are unable to secure a mortgage, financial education on property ownership should be the core of all these implementations.

"Without proper management of your debts, property ownership will not be a sustainable goal because it is a long-term financial commitment. Without proper planning, one wrong financial move may result in you losing your home," he added.

Lee said there are many quick wins implemented over the years but the core of the issue is the lack of financial understanding among Malaysians.

This would be the best way to close the income gap, he said.

- NST | 23 May 2017

May 23, 2017 | NST

NEWS

Posted at May 23, 2017

KUALA LUMPUR: iMoney, a financial comparison website, is of the opinion that Malaysia has been making great strides in reducing inequality in the country and this can be seen in the country’s GINI-coefficient, which fell from 0.46 in 2002 to 0.401 in 2014.

iMoney co-founder and group CEO Lee Ching Wei further said, in the same period, average monthly household income also grew from RM3,011 to RM6,141.

On the back of the recently-announced gross domestic product (GDP) first quarter results by Bank Negara Malaysia, Lee welcomed the government and Bank Negara’s move in continuing their effort to address income disparity and financial literacy in the country.

"The gap in income equality becomes smaller when the average household income of the bottom 40% grew considerably faster than for the top 20% between 2012 and 2014.

"However, despite the data, those in the bottom 40% group are still deemed acutely and increasingly in need of assistance. This is shown in the increased of BR1M over the years and other housing benefits provided by the government," he told NST Business yesterday when asked to comment on the gross domestic product (GDP) first quarter announcement by Bank Negara Malaysia yesterday.

Lee further said on top of the handouts and financial assistance, a longer-term solution to tackle income inequality would be to improve financial literacy among those in the middle 40% and bottom 40%.

"This can be done by encouraging the people to attend courses or education campaigns done by the Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency or Securities Commission. The education can also be done through different platforms to send the message to different segments of the society, especially through the Internet."

Further, Lee pointed out that financial education should include not just basic saving tips, but also on how to grow one’s funds through legitimate investment products.

Financial education, especially on investment, will also reduce the number of people falling for get-rich-quick schemes.

"Our recent Millennial Survey found that those in the lower income group (earning below RM1,500) spend close to half of their income on food, and if we break it down to the monetary value, it is close to the amount that those in the high income group are spending.

"Efforts should be put into making financial education and planning a breeze. This can be done by attracting more players in the fintech industry, and offering more assistance to the private sector to encourage innovation in the industry," he said.

iMoney also lauded the various programmes and schemes launched by the government to address the issue of housing affordability in the past few years.

However, on top of the 110% loan to those who are unable to save to purchase their first home, or launching rent-to-own schemes for those who are unable to secure a mortgage, financial education on property ownership should be the core of all these implementations.

"Without proper management of your debts, property ownership will not be a sustainable goal because it is a long-term financial commitment. Without proper planning, one wrong financial move may result in you losing your home," he added.

Lee said there are many quick wins implemented over the years but the core of the issue is the lack of financial understanding among Malaysians.

This would be the best way to close the income gap, he said.

- NST | 23 May 2017

Belia peka urus kewangan
May 15, 2017 | SinarOnline

Sekatan bayaran potongan gaji...
Apr 20, 2017 | UtusanOnline

NEWS

Posted at Apr 07, 2017

KUALA LUMPUR (April 7): A majority of Malaysians lack long-term financial planning, and only 40% of them are financially ready for retirement, said Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) Deputy Governor Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour, based on BNM's observation on long-term financial planning.

He added that more than 75% of Malaysians find difficulty saving RM1,000 for emergency needs, with the economic uncertainties and high cost of living.

"There should be greater awareness on the importance of saving for the future," said Abdul Rasheed at today's launching of Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK)'s financial education retirement module.

Speaking to reporters today, EPF chief executive officer Datuk Shahril Ridza Ridzuan said most people lack financial literacy.

"If you have RM228,000 at the age of 55, you should have enough to draw down about RM1,000 a month until your life expectancy of 75," he said.

"Whether there is enough for you, it's basically up to you, in terms of your own budgeting and spending. That's why when we talk about your basic savings, it's not an amount that we insist you must have, but it's a guidance we give to our members for them to plan for their financial planning," he added.

He said most people do not realise how much savings they need to sustain their particular lifestyle.

The module is a consolidation of EPF's and AKPK's retirement and financial literacy programme, and it acts as a reference and guideline, particularly for AKPK's and EPF's speakers conducting public talks pertaining to issues on personal finance management and retirement planning.

"The main objective for the development of this module is in line with EPF's vision to help members achieve a better future," said Shahril Ridza, adding that the collaboration with AKPK also allows EPF to expand its target group in managing issues on inadequacy of retirement income.

"In addition, it is hoped that this module will boost interest and encourage participation from other agencies in sharing their input as well as enhancing the current module in order to achieve the objective of increasing the understanding and financial planning that is comprehensive and relevant," said Shahril Ridza.

--The Edge Markets

One in three Malaysians '...

NEWS

Posted at Apr 07, 2017

KUALA LUMPUR (April 7): A majority of Malaysians lack long-term financial planning, and only 40% of them are financially ready for retirement, said Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) Deputy Governor Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour, based on BNM's observation on long-term financial planning.

He added that more than 75% of Malaysians find difficulty saving RM1,000 for emergency needs, with the economic uncertainties and high cost of living.

"There should be greater awareness on the importance of saving for the future," said Abdul Rasheed at today's launching of Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK)'s financial education retirement module.

Speaking to reporters today, EPF chief executive officer Datuk Shahril Ridza Ridzuan said most people lack financial literacy.

"If you have RM228,000 at the age of 55, you should have enough to draw down about RM1,000 a month until your life expectancy of 75," he said.

"Whether there is enough for you, it's basically up to you, in terms of your own budgeting and spending. That's why when we talk about your basic savings, it's not an amount that we insist you must have, but it's a guidance we give to our members for them to plan for their financial planning," he added.

He said most people do not realise how much savings they need to sustain their particular lifestyle.

The module is a consolidation of EPF's and AKPK's retirement and financial literacy programme, and it acts as a reference and guideline, particularly for AKPK's and EPF's speakers conducting public talks pertaining to issues on personal finance management and retirement planning.

"The main objective for the development of this module is in line with EPF's vision to help members achieve a better future," said Shahril Ridza, adding that the collaboration with AKPK also allows EPF to expand its target group in managing issues on inadequacy of retirement income.

"In addition, it is hoped that this module will boost interest and encourage participation from other agencies in sharing their input as well as enhancing the current module in order to achieve the objective of increasing the understanding and financial planning that is comprehensive and relevant," said Shahril Ridza.

--The Edge Markets

Apr 07, 2017 | TheEdgeMarkets

NEWS

Posted at Apr 07, 2017

KUALA LUMPUR (April 7): A majority of Malaysians lack long-term financial planning, and only 40% of them are financially ready for retirement, said Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) Deputy Governor Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour, based on BNM's observation on long-term financial planning.

He added that more than 75% of Malaysians find difficulty saving RM1,000 for emergency needs, with the economic uncertainties and high cost of living.

"There should be greater awareness on the importance of saving for the future," said Abdul Rasheed at today's launching of Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK)'s financial education retirement module.

Speaking to reporters today, EPF chief executive officer Datuk Shahril Ridza Ridzuan said most people lack financial literacy.

"If you have RM228,000 at the age of 55, you should have enough to draw down about RM1,000 a month until your life expectancy of 75," he said.

"Whether there is enough for you, it's basically up to you, in terms of your own budgeting and spending. That's why when we talk about your basic savings, it's not an amount that we insist you must have, but it's a guidance we give to our members for them to plan for their financial planning," he added.

He said most people do not realise how much savings they need to sustain their particular lifestyle.

The module is a consolidation of EPF's and AKPK's retirement and financial literacy programme, and it acts as a reference and guideline, particularly for AKPK's and EPF's speakers conducting public talks pertaining to issues on personal finance management and retirement planning.

"The main objective for the development of this module is in line with EPF's vision to help members achieve a better future," said Shahril Ridza, adding that the collaboration with AKPK also allows EPF to expand its target group in managing issues on inadequacy of retirement income.

"In addition, it is hoped that this module will boost interest and encourage participation from other agencies in sharing their input as well as enhancing the current module in order to achieve the objective of increasing the understanding and financial planning that is comprehensive and relevant," said Shahril Ridza.

--The Edge Markets

Perkhidmatan RAS diperluas men...
Apr 07, 2017 | BHOnline

NEWS

Posted at Apr 07, 2017

Speaker: Encik Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour
Venue: Multi Purpose Hall, Lanai Kijang
Language: English Speech
Date: 07 Apr 2017

Saya amat berbesar hati dapat bersama tuan-tuan dan puan-puan sekalian pada pagi ini - sempena majlis pelancaran modul pengurusan kewangan “Persaraan - Bermulanya Perjalanan Baru” - yang dibangunkan melalui usahasama antara dua agensi penting dalam bidang pengurusan kewangan individu, iaitu AKPK dan KWSP. Usaha ini amatlah dialu-alukan dan tepat pada masanya. Perkembangan semasa yang mencabar - mengingatkan kita betapa pentingnya keperluan untuk meningkatkan kesedaran mengenai pengurusan kewangan berhemat, terutamanya di dalam merancang persaraan dan masa depan. Sekalung tahniah saya ucapkan kepada AKPK dan KWSP di atas usaha dalam menjayakan modul ini. Ini adalah contoh usahasama bagi mencapai matlamat yang lebih penting dalam pendidikan kewangan. Majlis ini juga merupakan peringatan yang baik mengenai kepentingan untuk meningkatkan celik kewangan rakyat Malaysia untuk mengurus dan merancang hal kewangan mereka dengan bijak - demi masa depan yang lebih cerah dan selesa.

Importance of Financial Literacy

There is a growing concern on the low financial literacy level of Malaysians as measured by financial knowledge, attitudes and behaviours. Based on the Financial Capability and Inclusion Demand Side Survey conducted by Bank Negara Malaysia in 2015, the main observations on the state of financial literacy of Malaysians can be described by:

First – the majority of Malaysians have inadequate knowledge on financial matters to enable them to make informed financial decisions, particularly among the vulnerable groups;
Second - a significant majority of Malaysians display short-sighted tendencies and are inclined to ‘live for the moment’ - that is to only focus on instant gratification at the expense of long-term financial planning;
Third - more than 75% of Malaysians find it difficult to even raise RM1,000 to meet emergency needs;
Fourth - only a quarter of Malaysians have any form of investment; and
Fifth - most Malaysians indicated that they will face financial pressure should there be a loss of income.
Therefore, building the financial capability and literacy of Malaysians is certainly a priority for the nation. What we want to achieve is to improve people's ability - to manage money well - through their entire life cycle, and their ability to handle periods of difficulties. Financially literate population - will help to improve the well-being of individuals and households; ensure a sound and competitive financial system; as well as contribute to the sustainable growth of the economy.

Let me explain further on the importance of elevating financial literacy:

For individuals and households - financial literacy has become a key life skill. Those who go through life by making sound financial decisions - will potentially be more resilient and end-up with a much higher standard of living throughout their lifetime, including during retirement. With the right knowledge and skills - individuals can live within their means; manage finances; and improve chances of achieving their ultimate financial goals. A financially literate Malaysian - would be aware of the importance of long-term financial planning and will actively save for the future.
Empowered financial consumers - is an important element in enhancing market discipline and promoting financial stability. Financially literate consumers can collectively influence the behaviour of financial institutions to operate in a responsible, transparent and efficient manner. Financial institutions would be more competitive and motivated - to provide proper advice and offer suitable products, including that can support long-term financial planning.
Successful channelling of savings into productive investment opportunities - will also promote better economic growth. Greater use of financial products; as well as prudent use of credit among households - would promote wealth creation. A nation with a more literate population - can achieve greater financial inclusion through the access and appropriate use of financial products and services. Such households would facilitate in achieving the intended outcomes of macroeconomic policies.
Let me focus on three areas that are relevant towards shaping a better future in the context of financial literacy:

First - long-term financial planning begins at young age and relevant at each key life stages.
Second – on the individual responsibility to take charge of its own financial decisions and well-being; and
Third - building financial capability and enhancing literacy - is a shared responsibility. I will share the on-going collaborative efforts undertaken to raise financial literacy among Malaysians.
Talking about Long-Term Financial Planning

Based on Bank Negara Malaysia’s observation - there is a continuing concern - on the lack of attention to long-term financial planning among a majority of Malaysians. Only 40% of Malaysians are financially ready for retirement. A recent focus group discussion with retirees - shows that they would still rely on their children or purchase using credit in the event of emergency or for higher value items. This could be a result of lack of financial planning when they were younger. Generally, the younger population aged between 20-35 years old - perceive long-term financial planning apply to a time horizon of only the next 10 to 20 years.

Therefore, financial education introduced from an early age and throughout life events is certainly essential. With sufficient basic financial knowledge and relevant skills - ingrained into the younger individuals’ behaviour and attitude - they will be more prepared and empowered to lead a healthier financial lifestyle as they move into adulthood. Financial education from young - serves as a firm foundation to influence behaviour for a more sustainable life-long financial planning. Towards this end, Bank Negara Malaysia, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education - has successfully integrated basic financial education elements into the school curriculums beginning 2014, which will be expanded to all primary and secondary school levels by 2021.

Similarly, greater attention should also be accorded to long-term financial and retirement planning from young, or when entering the workforce. There should be greater awareness on the importance of saving for the future. As most of us here represent employers throughout Malaysia, I would urge that financial education and planning aspects should be embedded in our training modules, including the retirement module developed by AKPK and KWSP.

Moving on the second focus area on - Individual responsibility to take charge of its own financial decisions and well-being.

The Financial Capability and Inclusion Demand Side Survey 2015 – also suggests that Malaysians are not adequately taking charge of their own financial decisions and well-being. For example, with regard to retirement - one-in-three Malaysians are very worried about their retirement. Despite the worries, Malaysians adopt a passive strategy for their retirement planning - such as relying mainly on the government or statutory bodies such as KWSP to fund their retirement needs. As mentioned earlier, many of KWSP’s contributors have insufficient funds for their retirement. This brings us to another question – what are their fall back plans? Apparently, nothing concrete. The top three plans indicated in the survey are:

First - to rely on passive savings, which may not be sustainable;
Second - to rely on children or family members; and
Third - to always continue working.
Most financial decisions are influenced greatly by a person’s behaviour and attitude. Notably, this will require behavioural change from within, which can be harder to initiate but not impossible to achieve. When equipped with the relevant knowledge and skills - an individual would acquire a positive attitude and be able to make financial decisions - rationally and responsibly, for his well-being in the short and long-term. The positive behavioural change includes prudent use of money and credit; not easily influenced by emotions; actively seeking of information for financial product comparison; as well as making adequate provisions for old age.

The third and final focus area - building financial capability and elevating financial literacy is a shared responsibility

Government agencies, schools, families, workplaces and the financial service industry - all play an important role in building financial capability and elevating financial literacy of our population. This is a long-haul journey and requires significant resources and perseverance by various parties. Hence, inter-agency collaboration -providing various touch points at different platforms - is needed to increase the impact of financial education initiatives for the Malaysian public.

This motivates the establishment of the inter-agency Financial Education Network – which was set up in November 2016. Apart from Bank Negara Malaysia, AKPK and KWSP, the Financial Education Network - also comprises representatives from the Securities Commission, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Higher Education, Perbadanan Insurans Deposit Malaysia and Permodalan Nasional Berhad. I believe all members of the FE Network are here today to lend support to this important initiative, and potentially to further boost its impact for the benefit of Malaysians.

The FE Network has the objective of co-ordinating and driving the National Strategy for financial education in Malaysia. The National Strategy - will identify key target groups; define priorities; set measureable and realistic goals; and conduct regular assessment on financial education initiatives. Long-term financial and retirement planning would be one of the key priorities under the proposed National Strategy.

The collaboration between AKPK and KWSP - to establish the retirement planning module is indeed timely and in line with the FE Network’s objective. Today - we have a total of 80 trainers from all over Malaysia, who have completed the Train-the-Trainers programme by AKPK and will graduate as facilitators for this module. I would like to congratulate you and wish to emphasise that you now have an important role - as change agents in creating awareness and promoting behavioural change in the long-term financial and retirement planning, among Malaysians.

We also have representatives from the various government and private sector agencies here today. With such a comprehensive module in place, I would like to urge all of us to implement this module as internal training packages at our organisations for the benefit of our employees, including the younger employees during on-boarding programmes.

In conclusion, it is our aspiration to see a brighter future, with all Malaysians being knowledgeable; forward looking and achieve financial well-being throughout their entire life stages. Hence - it is important for us to shape the future and make a difference, starting from now! On this note, I hereby officially launch the “Financial Management for Retirement Module”.

--BNM, Speeches & Interviews

Deputy Governor's Speech...

NEWS

Posted at Apr 07, 2017

Speaker: Encik Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour
Venue: Multi Purpose Hall, Lanai Kijang
Language: English Speech
Date: 07 Apr 2017

Saya amat berbesar hati dapat bersama tuan-tuan dan puan-puan sekalian pada pagi ini - sempena majlis pelancaran modul pengurusan kewangan “Persaraan - Bermulanya Perjalanan Baru” - yang dibangunkan melalui usahasama antara dua agensi penting dalam bidang pengurusan kewangan individu, iaitu AKPK dan KWSP. Usaha ini amatlah dialu-alukan dan tepat pada masanya. Perkembangan semasa yang mencabar - mengingatkan kita betapa pentingnya keperluan untuk meningkatkan kesedaran mengenai pengurusan kewangan berhemat, terutamanya di dalam merancang persaraan dan masa depan. Sekalung tahniah saya ucapkan kepada AKPK dan KWSP di atas usaha dalam menjayakan modul ini. Ini adalah contoh usahasama bagi mencapai matlamat yang lebih penting dalam pendidikan kewangan. Majlis ini juga merupakan peringatan yang baik mengenai kepentingan untuk meningkatkan celik kewangan rakyat Malaysia untuk mengurus dan merancang hal kewangan mereka dengan bijak - demi masa depan yang lebih cerah dan selesa.

Importance of Financial Literacy

There is a growing concern on the low financial literacy level of Malaysians as measured by financial knowledge, attitudes and behaviours. Based on the Financial Capability and Inclusion Demand Side Survey conducted by Bank Negara Malaysia in 2015, the main observations on the state of financial literacy of Malaysians can be described by:

First – the majority of Malaysians have inadequate knowledge on financial matters to enable them to make informed financial decisions, particularly among the vulnerable groups;
Second - a significant majority of Malaysians display short-sighted tendencies and are inclined to ‘live for the moment’ - that is to only focus on instant gratification at the expense of long-term financial planning;
Third - more than 75% of Malaysians find it difficult to even raise RM1,000 to meet emergency needs;
Fourth - only a quarter of Malaysians have any form of investment; and
Fifth - most Malaysians indicated that they will face financial pressure should there be a loss of income.
Therefore, building the financial capability and literacy of Malaysians is certainly a priority for the nation. What we want to achieve is to improve people's ability - to manage money well - through their entire life cycle, and their ability to handle periods of difficulties. Financially literate population - will help to improve the well-being of individuals and households; ensure a sound and competitive financial system; as well as contribute to the sustainable growth of the economy.

Let me explain further on the importance of elevating financial literacy:

For individuals and households - financial literacy has become a key life skill. Those who go through life by making sound financial decisions - will potentially be more resilient and end-up with a much higher standard of living throughout their lifetime, including during retirement. With the right knowledge and skills - individuals can live within their means; manage finances; and improve chances of achieving their ultimate financial goals. A financially literate Malaysian - would be aware of the importance of long-term financial planning and will actively save for the future.
Empowered financial consumers - is an important element in enhancing market discipline and promoting financial stability. Financially literate consumers can collectively influence the behaviour of financial institutions to operate in a responsible, transparent and efficient manner. Financial institutions would be more competitive and motivated - to provide proper advice and offer suitable products, including that can support long-term financial planning.
Successful channelling of savings into productive investment opportunities - will also promote better economic growth. Greater use of financial products; as well as prudent use of credit among households - would promote wealth creation. A nation with a more literate population - can achieve greater financial inclusion through the access and appropriate use of financial products and services. Such households would facilitate in achieving the intended outcomes of macroeconomic policies.
Let me focus on three areas that are relevant towards shaping a better future in the context of financial literacy:

First - long-term financial planning begins at young age and relevant at each key life stages.
Second – on the individual responsibility to take charge of its own financial decisions and well-being; and
Third - building financial capability and enhancing literacy - is a shared responsibility. I will share the on-going collaborative efforts undertaken to raise financial literacy among Malaysians.
Talking about Long-Term Financial Planning

Based on Bank Negara Malaysia’s observation - there is a continuing concern - on the lack of attention to long-term financial planning among a majority of Malaysians. Only 40% of Malaysians are financially ready for retirement. A recent focus group discussion with retirees - shows that they would still rely on their children or purchase using credit in the event of emergency or for higher value items. This could be a result of lack of financial planning when they were younger. Generally, the younger population aged between 20-35 years old - perceive long-term financial planning apply to a time horizon of only the next 10 to 20 years.

Therefore, financial education introduced from an early age and throughout life events is certainly essential. With sufficient basic financial knowledge and relevant skills - ingrained into the younger individuals’ behaviour and attitude - they will be more prepared and empowered to lead a healthier financial lifestyle as they move into adulthood. Financial education from young - serves as a firm foundation to influence behaviour for a more sustainable life-long financial planning. Towards this end, Bank Negara Malaysia, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education - has successfully integrated basic financial education elements into the school curriculums beginning 2014, which will be expanded to all primary and secondary school levels by 2021.

Similarly, greater attention should also be accorded to long-term financial and retirement planning from young, or when entering the workforce. There should be greater awareness on the importance of saving for the future. As most of us here represent employers throughout Malaysia, I would urge that financial education and planning aspects should be embedded in our training modules, including the retirement module developed by AKPK and KWSP.

Moving on the second focus area on - Individual responsibility to take charge of its own financial decisions and well-being.

The Financial Capability and Inclusion Demand Side Survey 2015 – also suggests that Malaysians are not adequately taking charge of their own financial decisions and well-being. For example, with regard to retirement - one-in-three Malaysians are very worried about their retirement. Despite the worries, Malaysians adopt a passive strategy for their retirement planning - such as relying mainly on the government or statutory bodies such as KWSP to fund their retirement needs. As mentioned earlier, many of KWSP’s contributors have insufficient funds for their retirement. This brings us to another question – what are their fall back plans? Apparently, nothing concrete. The top three plans indicated in the survey are:

First - to rely on passive savings, which may not be sustainable;
Second - to rely on children or family members; and
Third - to always continue working.
Most financial decisions are influenced greatly by a person’s behaviour and attitude. Notably, this will require behavioural change from within, which can be harder to initiate but not impossible to achieve. When equipped with the relevant knowledge and skills - an individual would acquire a positive attitude and be able to make financial decisions - rationally and responsibly, for his well-being in the short and long-term. The positive behavioural change includes prudent use of money and credit; not easily influenced by emotions; actively seeking of information for financial product comparison; as well as making adequate provisions for old age.

The third and final focus area - building financial capability and elevating financial literacy is a shared responsibility

Government agencies, schools, families, workplaces and the financial service industry - all play an important role in building financial capability and elevating financial literacy of our population. This is a long-haul journey and requires significant resources and perseverance by various parties. Hence, inter-agency collaboration -providing various touch points at different platforms - is needed to increase the impact of financial education initiatives for the Malaysian public.

This motivates the establishment of the inter-agency Financial Education Network – which was set up in November 2016. Apart from Bank Negara Malaysia, AKPK and KWSP, the Financial Education Network - also comprises representatives from the Securities Commission, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Higher Education, Perbadanan Insurans Deposit Malaysia and Permodalan Nasional Berhad. I believe all members of the FE Network are here today to lend support to this important initiative, and potentially to further boost its impact for the benefit of Malaysians.

The FE Network has the objective of co-ordinating and driving the National Strategy for financial education in Malaysia. The National Strategy - will identify key target groups; define priorities; set measureable and realistic goals; and conduct regular assessment on financial education initiatives. Long-term financial and retirement planning would be one of the key priorities under the proposed National Strategy.

The collaboration between AKPK and KWSP - to establish the retirement planning module is indeed timely and in line with the FE Network’s objective. Today - we have a total of 80 trainers from all over Malaysia, who have completed the Train-the-Trainers programme by AKPK and will graduate as facilitators for this module. I would like to congratulate you and wish to emphasise that you now have an important role - as change agents in creating awareness and promoting behavioural change in the long-term financial and retirement planning, among Malaysians.

We also have representatives from the various government and private sector agencies here today. With such a comprehensive module in place, I would like to urge all of us to implement this module as internal training packages at our organisations for the benefit of our employees, including the younger employees during on-boarding programmes.

In conclusion, it is our aspiration to see a brighter future, with all Malaysians being knowledgeable; forward looking and achieve financial well-being throughout their entire life stages. Hence - it is important for us to shape the future and make a difference, starting from now! On this note, I hereby officially launch the “Financial Management for Retirement Module”.

--BNM, Speeches & Interviews

Apr 07, 2017 | BNM

NEWS

Posted at Apr 07, 2017

Speaker: Encik Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour
Venue: Multi Purpose Hall, Lanai Kijang
Language: English Speech
Date: 07 Apr 2017

Saya amat berbesar hati dapat bersama tuan-tuan dan puan-puan sekalian pada pagi ini - sempena majlis pelancaran modul pengurusan kewangan “Persaraan - Bermulanya Perjalanan Baru” - yang dibangunkan melalui usahasama antara dua agensi penting dalam bidang pengurusan kewangan individu, iaitu AKPK dan KWSP. Usaha ini amatlah dialu-alukan dan tepat pada masanya. Perkembangan semasa yang mencabar - mengingatkan kita betapa pentingnya keperluan untuk meningkatkan kesedaran mengenai pengurusan kewangan berhemat, terutamanya di dalam merancang persaraan dan masa depan. Sekalung tahniah saya ucapkan kepada AKPK dan KWSP di atas usaha dalam menjayakan modul ini. Ini adalah contoh usahasama bagi mencapai matlamat yang lebih penting dalam pendidikan kewangan. Majlis ini juga merupakan peringatan yang baik mengenai kepentingan untuk meningkatkan celik kewangan rakyat Malaysia untuk mengurus dan merancang hal kewangan mereka dengan bijak - demi masa depan yang lebih cerah dan selesa.

Importance of Financial Literacy

There is a growing concern on the low financial literacy level of Malaysians as measured by financial knowledge, attitudes and behaviours. Based on the Financial Capability and Inclusion Demand Side Survey conducted by Bank Negara Malaysia in 2015, the main observations on the state of financial literacy of Malaysians can be described by:

First – the majority of Malaysians have inadequate knowledge on financial matters to enable them to make informed financial decisions, particularly among the vulnerable groups;
Second - a significant majority of Malaysians display short-sighted tendencies and are inclined to ‘live for the moment’ - that is to only focus on instant gratification at the expense of long-term financial planning;
Third - more than 75% of Malaysians find it difficult to even raise RM1,000 to meet emergency needs;
Fourth - only a quarter of Malaysians have any form of investment; and
Fifth - most Malaysians indicated that they will face financial pressure should there be a loss of income.
Therefore, building the financial capability and literacy of Malaysians is certainly a priority for the nation. What we want to achieve is to improve people's ability - to manage money well - through their entire life cycle, and their ability to handle periods of difficulties. Financially literate population - will help to improve the well-being of individuals and households; ensure a sound and competitive financial system; as well as contribute to the sustainable growth of the economy.

Let me explain further on the importance of elevating financial literacy:

For individuals and households - financial literacy has become a key life skill. Those who go through life by making sound financial decisions - will potentially be more resilient and end-up with a much higher standard of living throughout their lifetime, including during retirement. With the right knowledge and skills - individuals can live within their means; manage finances; and improve chances of achieving their ultimate financial goals. A financially literate Malaysian - would be aware of the importance of long-term financial planning and will actively save for the future.
Empowered financial consumers - is an important element in enhancing market discipline and promoting financial stability. Financially literate consumers can collectively influence the behaviour of financial institutions to operate in a responsible, transparent and efficient manner. Financial institutions would be more competitive and motivated - to provide proper advice and offer suitable products, including that can support long-term financial planning.
Successful channelling of savings into productive investment opportunities - will also promote better economic growth. Greater use of financial products; as well as prudent use of credit among households - would promote wealth creation. A nation with a more literate population - can achieve greater financial inclusion through the access and appropriate use of financial products and services. Such households would facilitate in achieving the intended outcomes of macroeconomic policies.
Let me focus on three areas that are relevant towards shaping a better future in the context of financial literacy:

First - long-term financial planning begins at young age and relevant at each key life stages.
Second – on the individual responsibility to take charge of its own financial decisions and well-being; and
Third - building financial capability and enhancing literacy - is a shared responsibility. I will share the on-going collaborative efforts undertaken to raise financial literacy among Malaysians.
Talking about Long-Term Financial Planning

Based on Bank Negara Malaysia’s observation - there is a continuing concern - on the lack of attention to long-term financial planning among a majority of Malaysians. Only 40% of Malaysians are financially ready for retirement. A recent focus group discussion with retirees - shows that they would still rely on their children or purchase using credit in the event of emergency or for higher value items. This could be a result of lack of financial planning when they were younger. Generally, the younger population aged between 20-35 years old - perceive long-term financial planning apply to a time horizon of only the next 10 to 20 years.

Therefore, financial education introduced from an early age and throughout life events is certainly essential. With sufficient basic financial knowledge and relevant skills - ingrained into the younger individuals’ behaviour and attitude - they will be more prepared and empowered to lead a healthier financial lifestyle as they move into adulthood. Financial education from young - serves as a firm foundation to influence behaviour for a more sustainable life-long financial planning. Towards this end, Bank Negara Malaysia, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education - has successfully integrated basic financial education elements into the school curriculums beginning 2014, which will be expanded to all primary and secondary school levels by 2021.

Similarly, greater attention should also be accorded to long-term financial and retirement planning from young, or when entering the workforce. There should be greater awareness on the importance of saving for the future. As most of us here represent employers throughout Malaysia, I would urge that financial education and planning aspects should be embedded in our training modules, including the retirement module developed by AKPK and KWSP.

Moving on the second focus area on - Individual responsibility to take charge of its own financial decisions and well-being.

The Financial Capability and Inclusion Demand Side Survey 2015 – also suggests that Malaysians are not adequately taking charge of their own financial decisions and well-being. For example, with regard to retirement - one-in-three Malaysians are very worried about their retirement. Despite the worries, Malaysians adopt a passive strategy for their retirement planning - such as relying mainly on the government or statutory bodies such as KWSP to fund their retirement needs. As mentioned earlier, many of KWSP’s contributors have insufficient funds for their retirement. This brings us to another question – what are their fall back plans? Apparently, nothing concrete. The top three plans indicated in the survey are:

First - to rely on passive savings, which may not be sustainable;
Second - to rely on children or family members; and
Third - to always continue working.
Most financial decisions are influenced greatly by a person’s behaviour and attitude. Notably, this will require behavioural change from within, which can be harder to initiate but not impossible to achieve. When equipped with the relevant knowledge and skills - an individual would acquire a positive attitude and be able to make financial decisions - rationally and responsibly, for his well-being in the short and long-term. The positive behavioural change includes prudent use of money and credit; not easily influenced by emotions; actively seeking of information for financial product comparison; as well as making adequate provisions for old age.

The third and final focus area - building financial capability and elevating financial literacy is a shared responsibility

Government agencies, schools, families, workplaces and the financial service industry - all play an important role in building financial capability and elevating financial literacy of our population. This is a long-haul journey and requires significant resources and perseverance by various parties. Hence, inter-agency collaboration -providing various touch points at different platforms - is needed to increase the impact of financial education initiatives for the Malaysian public.

This motivates the establishment of the inter-agency Financial Education Network – which was set up in November 2016. Apart from Bank Negara Malaysia, AKPK and KWSP, the Financial Education Network - also comprises representatives from the Securities Commission, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Higher Education, Perbadanan Insurans Deposit Malaysia and Permodalan Nasional Berhad. I believe all members of the FE Network are here today to lend support to this important initiative, and potentially to further boost its impact for the benefit of Malaysians.

The FE Network has the objective of co-ordinating and driving the National Strategy for financial education in Malaysia. The National Strategy - will identify key target groups; define priorities; set measureable and realistic goals; and conduct regular assessment on financial education initiatives. Long-term financial and retirement planning would be one of the key priorities under the proposed National Strategy.

The collaboration between AKPK and KWSP - to establish the retirement planning module is indeed timely and in line with the FE Network’s objective. Today - we have a total of 80 trainers from all over Malaysia, who have completed the Train-the-Trainers programme by AKPK and will graduate as facilitators for this module. I would like to congratulate you and wish to emphasise that you now have an important role - as change agents in creating awareness and promoting behavioural change in the long-term financial and retirement planning, among Malaysians.

We also have representatives from the various government and private sector agencies here today. With such a comprehensive module in place, I would like to urge all of us to implement this module as internal training packages at our organisations for the benefit of our employees, including the younger employees during on-boarding programmes.

In conclusion, it is our aspiration to see a brighter future, with all Malaysians being knowledgeable; forward looking and achieve financial well-being throughout their entire life stages. Hence - it is important for us to shape the future and make a difference, starting from now! On this note, I hereby officially launch the “Financial Management for Retirement Module”.

--BNM, Speeches & Interviews

NEWS

Posted at Apr 07, 2017

KWSP Sediakan Bimbingan Celik...

NEWS

Posted at Apr 07, 2017

Apr 07, 2017 | BernamaOnline

NEWS

Posted at Apr 07, 2017

Kerajaan terus anjur program m...
Apr 05, 2017 | SinarOnline

NEWS

Posted at Mar 15, 2017

SHAH ALAM, 13 Mac (Bernama) -- Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) akan mengambil langkah lebih proaktif dalam menerapkan pendidikan kewangan kepada mahasiswa bagi mengelakkan golongan itu dibebani masalah hutang apabila memasuki alam pekerjaan kelak.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif AKPK Azaddin Ngah Tasir berkata ini kerana, mengikut laporan Jabatan Insolvensi Malaysia, dalam tempoh 2012 sehingga September 2016 terdapat sebanyak 1,157 individu di bawah umur 25 tahun telah diisytiharkan bankrap.

'...dan kaji selidik Asian Institute of Finance (AIF) baru-baru ini mengenai sikap generasi muda dalam menguruskan kewangan mendedahkan sikap dan kurangnya pengetahuan menguruskan kewangan dalam kalangan generasi muda mendorong perkara itu berlaku," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian kepada pemberita selepas majlis menandatangani Memorandum Persefahaman (MoU) di antara AKPK dan Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) bagi penawaran kursus Ko-Kurikulum Asas Pengurusan Kewangan kepada penuntut universiti itu di sini, Isnin.

AKPK diwakili oleh Azaddin manakala UiTM diwakili Naib Canselornya Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Hassan Said.

Mengulas lanjut, Azaddin berkata pendidikan kewangan adalah amat penting dan perlu diterapkan kepada setiap generasi muda bermula dari peringkat awal pengajian supaya golongan itu mampu menguruskan kewangan dan menangani bebanan hutang dengan bijak.

"Sebab itu AKPK rancang mahu memperluaskan kerjasama seperti melaksanakan MoU di peringkat IPT seperti yang kita meterai bersama UiTM pada hari ini. Menerusi MoU ini, AKPK akan mengadakan pelbagai aktiviti termasuk projek penyelidikan dan taklimat berkaitan kewangan"'.

Sementara itu, Hassan berkata jalinan kerjasama antara AKPK dan UiTM itu bertujuan mendidik dan memberi kesedaran mengenai pentingnya ilmu pengurusan kewangan kepada mahasiswa.

Beliau berkata menerusi kursus itu yang diperkenalkan sejak September lepas, AKPK akan mendidik mahasiswa mengenai cara menguruskan kewangan terutamanya selepas mereka tamat pengajian dan bekerja supaya tidak dibebani hutang sehingga diisytiharkan muflis pada usia muda.

"Ini kerana apabila mereka mengalami hutang yang besar ia secara tidak langsung akan menjejaskan kualiti hidup yang akan turut mempengaruhi rumah tangga mereka apabila mereka berkahwin nanti," katanya.

-- BERNAMA

AKPK Ambil Langkah Lebih Proak...

NEWS

Posted at Mar 15, 2017

SHAH ALAM, 13 Mac (Bernama) -- Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) akan mengambil langkah lebih proaktif dalam menerapkan pendidikan kewangan kepada mahasiswa bagi mengelakkan golongan itu dibebani masalah hutang apabila memasuki alam pekerjaan kelak.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif AKPK Azaddin Ngah Tasir berkata ini kerana, mengikut laporan Jabatan Insolvensi Malaysia, dalam tempoh 2012 sehingga September 2016 terdapat sebanyak 1,157 individu di bawah umur 25 tahun telah diisytiharkan bankrap.

'...dan kaji selidik Asian Institute of Finance (AIF) baru-baru ini mengenai sikap generasi muda dalam menguruskan kewangan mendedahkan sikap dan kurangnya pengetahuan menguruskan kewangan dalam kalangan generasi muda mendorong perkara itu berlaku," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian kepada pemberita selepas majlis menandatangani Memorandum Persefahaman (MoU) di antara AKPK dan Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) bagi penawaran kursus Ko-Kurikulum Asas Pengurusan Kewangan kepada penuntut universiti itu di sini, Isnin.

AKPK diwakili oleh Azaddin manakala UiTM diwakili Naib Canselornya Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Hassan Said.

Mengulas lanjut, Azaddin berkata pendidikan kewangan adalah amat penting dan perlu diterapkan kepada setiap generasi muda bermula dari peringkat awal pengajian supaya golongan itu mampu menguruskan kewangan dan menangani bebanan hutang dengan bijak.

"Sebab itu AKPK rancang mahu memperluaskan kerjasama seperti melaksanakan MoU di peringkat IPT seperti yang kita meterai bersama UiTM pada hari ini. Menerusi MoU ini, AKPK akan mengadakan pelbagai aktiviti termasuk projek penyelidikan dan taklimat berkaitan kewangan"'.

Sementara itu, Hassan berkata jalinan kerjasama antara AKPK dan UiTM itu bertujuan mendidik dan memberi kesedaran mengenai pentingnya ilmu pengurusan kewangan kepada mahasiswa.

Beliau berkata menerusi kursus itu yang diperkenalkan sejak September lepas, AKPK akan mendidik mahasiswa mengenai cara menguruskan kewangan terutamanya selepas mereka tamat pengajian dan bekerja supaya tidak dibebani hutang sehingga diisytiharkan muflis pada usia muda.

"Ini kerana apabila mereka mengalami hutang yang besar ia secara tidak langsung akan menjejaskan kualiti hidup yang akan turut mempengaruhi rumah tangga mereka apabila mereka berkahwin nanti," katanya.

-- BERNAMA

Mar 15, 2017 | BernamaOnline

NEWS

Posted at Mar 15, 2017

SHAH ALAM, 13 Mac (Bernama) -- Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) akan mengambil langkah lebih proaktif dalam menerapkan pendidikan kewangan kepada mahasiswa bagi mengelakkan golongan itu dibebani masalah hutang apabila memasuki alam pekerjaan kelak.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif AKPK Azaddin Ngah Tasir berkata ini kerana, mengikut laporan Jabatan Insolvensi Malaysia, dalam tempoh 2012 sehingga September 2016 terdapat sebanyak 1,157 individu di bawah umur 25 tahun telah diisytiharkan bankrap.

'...dan kaji selidik Asian Institute of Finance (AIF) baru-baru ini mengenai sikap generasi muda dalam menguruskan kewangan mendedahkan sikap dan kurangnya pengetahuan menguruskan kewangan dalam kalangan generasi muda mendorong perkara itu berlaku," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian kepada pemberita selepas majlis menandatangani Memorandum Persefahaman (MoU) di antara AKPK dan Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) bagi penawaran kursus Ko-Kurikulum Asas Pengurusan Kewangan kepada penuntut universiti itu di sini, Isnin.

AKPK diwakili oleh Azaddin manakala UiTM diwakili Naib Canselornya Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Hassan Said.

Mengulas lanjut, Azaddin berkata pendidikan kewangan adalah amat penting dan perlu diterapkan kepada setiap generasi muda bermula dari peringkat awal pengajian supaya golongan itu mampu menguruskan kewangan dan menangani bebanan hutang dengan bijak.

"Sebab itu AKPK rancang mahu memperluaskan kerjasama seperti melaksanakan MoU di peringkat IPT seperti yang kita meterai bersama UiTM pada hari ini. Menerusi MoU ini, AKPK akan mengadakan pelbagai aktiviti termasuk projek penyelidikan dan taklimat berkaitan kewangan"'.

Sementara itu, Hassan berkata jalinan kerjasama antara AKPK dan UiTM itu bertujuan mendidik dan memberi kesedaran mengenai pentingnya ilmu pengurusan kewangan kepada mahasiswa.

Beliau berkata menerusi kursus itu yang diperkenalkan sejak September lepas, AKPK akan mendidik mahasiswa mengenai cara menguruskan kewangan terutamanya selepas mereka tamat pengajian dan bekerja supaya tidak dibebani hutang sehingga diisytiharkan muflis pada usia muda.

"Ini kerana apabila mereka mengalami hutang yang besar ia secara tidak langsung akan menjejaskan kualiti hidup yang akan turut mempengaruhi rumah tangga mereka apabila mereka berkahwin nanti," katanya.

-- BERNAMA

NEWS

Posted at Jan 06, 2017

AKPK bantu kurangkan kadar muf...

NEWS

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Jan 06, 2017 | BernamaOnline

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NEWS

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121,673 guna khidmat AKPK tahu...

NEWS

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Jan 06, 2017 | UtusanMalaysiaOnline

NEWS

Posted at Jan 06, 2017

NEWS

Posted at Dec 07, 2016

Kuala Lumpur, 6 Dis. - Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) berjaya menyelesaikan 11,672 kes melibatkan pengurusan kewangan setakat 31 Oktober lalu dengan jumlah keseluruhan bernilai RM476.6 juta.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutifnya, Azaddin Ngah Tasir berkata, sejak beroperasi mulai April 2006, seramai 492,793 pelanggan telah mendapatkan perkhidmatan kaunseling dengan 164,272 daripada mereka mendapat bantuan menerusi Program Pengurusan Kredit.

Katanya, daripada jumlah itu, 15 peratus berumur di bawah 30 tahun manakala 39 peratus di antara 31 hingga 40 tahun dan 46 peratus berumur 41 tahun ke atas.

“Berdasarkan kaji selidik kami, sebanyak 49.7 peratus mempunyai perancangan kewangan yang lemah diikuti kegagalan dalam perniagaan (15.2 peratus), kos sara hidup tinggi (11.7 peratus), perbelanjaan perubatan yang tinggi (11 peratus) dan kehilangan pekerjaan (9.5 peratus),” katanya berucap dalam majlis makan tengah hari ‘AKPK - Mengumpul Minda Intelek’ di sini hari ini.

Yang turut hadir Penolong Gabenor Bank Negara Malaysia, Abu Hassan Alshari Yahaya dan Pengarah Bahagian Pengurusan Pembangunan Akademik, Jabatan Pendidikan Tinggi, Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi, Dr. Aishah Abu Bakar.

Majlis itu dihadiri 200 ahli pengurusan kanan dari lebih 100 institusi pengajian tinggi di seluruh negara.

Menurut Azaddin, statistik kebankrapan Jabatan Insolvensi Malaysia menunjukkan 97,215 orang diisytiharkan bankrap sejak 2012 sehingga September 2016 dengan 25,581 terdiri daripada generasi Y berumur 25 hingga 34 tahun.

Bagaimanapun katanya, paling mengejutkan apabila statistik itu turut menunjukkan seramai 1,157 kes adalah di bawah umur 25 tahun.

“Sewa beli kenderaan merupakan punca utama kebankrapan apabila gagal melunaskan pinjaman iaitu sebanyak 26,801 kes diikuti pinjaman peribadi (22,153 kes) dan pinjaman perumahan (18,819 kes).

“Malah, mereka yang diisytiharkan muflis ini mengakui bahawa punca utama kegagalan mengawal kewangan adalah disebabkan kurangnya pendidikan dan perancangan kewangan yang baik,” katanya.

Beliau memberitahu, setakat ini, seramai 1.97 juta rakyat Malaysia telah menikmati kemudahan APPK berbentuk program-program pengurusan kewangan melalui forum, seminar, pameran bergerak dan bengkel.

“Selain itu, sebanyak 18 Politeknik dan 12 institusi pengajian tinggi swasta (IPTS) telah menerapkan modul pendidikan AKPK sebagai sebahagian daripada subjek keusahawanan atau kurikulum,” katanya.

AKPK selesai masalah kewangan...

NEWS

Posted at Dec 07, 2016

Kuala Lumpur, 6 Dis. - Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) berjaya menyelesaikan 11,672 kes melibatkan pengurusan kewangan setakat 31 Oktober lalu dengan jumlah keseluruhan bernilai RM476.6 juta.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutifnya, Azaddin Ngah Tasir berkata, sejak beroperasi mulai April 2006, seramai 492,793 pelanggan telah mendapatkan perkhidmatan kaunseling dengan 164,272 daripada mereka mendapat bantuan menerusi Program Pengurusan Kredit.

Katanya, daripada jumlah itu, 15 peratus berumur di bawah 30 tahun manakala 39 peratus di antara 31 hingga 40 tahun dan 46 peratus berumur 41 tahun ke atas.

“Berdasarkan kaji selidik kami, sebanyak 49.7 peratus mempunyai perancangan kewangan yang lemah diikuti kegagalan dalam perniagaan (15.2 peratus), kos sara hidup tinggi (11.7 peratus), perbelanjaan perubatan yang tinggi (11 peratus) dan kehilangan pekerjaan (9.5 peratus),” katanya berucap dalam majlis makan tengah hari ‘AKPK - Mengumpul Minda Intelek’ di sini hari ini.

Yang turut hadir Penolong Gabenor Bank Negara Malaysia, Abu Hassan Alshari Yahaya dan Pengarah Bahagian Pengurusan Pembangunan Akademik, Jabatan Pendidikan Tinggi, Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi, Dr. Aishah Abu Bakar.

Majlis itu dihadiri 200 ahli pengurusan kanan dari lebih 100 institusi pengajian tinggi di seluruh negara.

Menurut Azaddin, statistik kebankrapan Jabatan Insolvensi Malaysia menunjukkan 97,215 orang diisytiharkan bankrap sejak 2012 sehingga September 2016 dengan 25,581 terdiri daripada generasi Y berumur 25 hingga 34 tahun.

Bagaimanapun katanya, paling mengejutkan apabila statistik itu turut menunjukkan seramai 1,157 kes adalah di bawah umur 25 tahun.

“Sewa beli kenderaan merupakan punca utama kebankrapan apabila gagal melunaskan pinjaman iaitu sebanyak 26,801 kes diikuti pinjaman peribadi (22,153 kes) dan pinjaman perumahan (18,819 kes).

“Malah, mereka yang diisytiharkan muflis ini mengakui bahawa punca utama kegagalan mengawal kewangan adalah disebabkan kurangnya pendidikan dan perancangan kewangan yang baik,” katanya.

Beliau memberitahu, setakat ini, seramai 1.97 juta rakyat Malaysia telah menikmati kemudahan APPK berbentuk program-program pengurusan kewangan melalui forum, seminar, pameran bergerak dan bengkel.

“Selain itu, sebanyak 18 Politeknik dan 12 institusi pengajian tinggi swasta (IPTS) telah menerapkan modul pendidikan AKPK sebagai sebahagian daripada subjek keusahawanan atau kurikulum,” katanya.

Dec 07, 2016 | UtusanMalaysiaOnline

NEWS

Posted at Dec 07, 2016

Kuala Lumpur, 6 Dis. - Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) berjaya menyelesaikan 11,672 kes melibatkan pengurusan kewangan setakat 31 Oktober lalu dengan jumlah keseluruhan bernilai RM476.6 juta.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutifnya, Azaddin Ngah Tasir berkata, sejak beroperasi mulai April 2006, seramai 492,793 pelanggan telah mendapatkan perkhidmatan kaunseling dengan 164,272 daripada mereka mendapat bantuan menerusi Program Pengurusan Kredit.

Katanya, daripada jumlah itu, 15 peratus berumur di bawah 30 tahun manakala 39 peratus di antara 31 hingga 40 tahun dan 46 peratus berumur 41 tahun ke atas.

“Berdasarkan kaji selidik kami, sebanyak 49.7 peratus mempunyai perancangan kewangan yang lemah diikuti kegagalan dalam perniagaan (15.2 peratus), kos sara hidup tinggi (11.7 peratus), perbelanjaan perubatan yang tinggi (11 peratus) dan kehilangan pekerjaan (9.5 peratus),” katanya berucap dalam majlis makan tengah hari ‘AKPK - Mengumpul Minda Intelek’ di sini hari ini.

Yang turut hadir Penolong Gabenor Bank Negara Malaysia, Abu Hassan Alshari Yahaya dan Pengarah Bahagian Pengurusan Pembangunan Akademik, Jabatan Pendidikan Tinggi, Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi, Dr. Aishah Abu Bakar.

Majlis itu dihadiri 200 ahli pengurusan kanan dari lebih 100 institusi pengajian tinggi di seluruh negara.

Menurut Azaddin, statistik kebankrapan Jabatan Insolvensi Malaysia menunjukkan 97,215 orang diisytiharkan bankrap sejak 2012 sehingga September 2016 dengan 25,581 terdiri daripada generasi Y berumur 25 hingga 34 tahun.

Bagaimanapun katanya, paling mengejutkan apabila statistik itu turut menunjukkan seramai 1,157 kes adalah di bawah umur 25 tahun.

“Sewa beli kenderaan merupakan punca utama kebankrapan apabila gagal melunaskan pinjaman iaitu sebanyak 26,801 kes diikuti pinjaman peribadi (22,153 kes) dan pinjaman perumahan (18,819 kes).

“Malah, mereka yang diisytiharkan muflis ini mengakui bahawa punca utama kegagalan mengawal kewangan adalah disebabkan kurangnya pendidikan dan perancangan kewangan yang baik,” katanya.

Beliau memberitahu, setakat ini, seramai 1.97 juta rakyat Malaysia telah menikmati kemudahan APPK berbentuk program-program pengurusan kewangan melalui forum, seminar, pameran bergerak dan bengkel.

“Selain itu, sebanyak 18 Politeknik dan 12 institusi pengajian tinggi swasta (IPTS) telah menerapkan modul pendidikan AKPK sebagai sebahagian daripada subjek keusahawanan atau kurikulum,” katanya.

Lebih 492,000 Peminjam Diberi...
Dec 07, 2016 | BeritaRTM

NEWS

Posted at Dec 06, 2016

KUALA LUMPUR: Kadar muflis golongan muda di Malaysia adalah sesuatu yang merisaukan.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK), Azaddin Ngah Tasir, berkata berdasarkan rekod Jabatan Insolvensi Malaysia, sebanyak 97,215 kes kebankrapan dicatatkan di negara ini sepanjang tempoh 2012 sehingga September 2016.

Beliau berkata, daripada jumlah itu, sebanyak 22,581 kes, atau 23 peratus, membabitkan kategori dewasa muda, atau Gen Y, yang berumur antara 25 hingga 34 tahun diisytiharkan muflis, selain sebanyak 1,157 kes membabitkan mereka berumur di bawah umur 25 tahun.

"Antara sebab utama kebankrapan adalah akibat kegagalan melunaskan pinjaman sewa beli kenderaan membabitkan 26,801 kes, atau 27.6 peratus, disusuli pinjaman peribadi 22,153 kes, atau 22.8 peratus dan pinjaman perumahan 18,819 kes, atau 19.4 peratus.

"Mereka yang diisytiharkan muflis mengakui punca utama kegagalan dalam mengawal kewangan mereka disebabkan terutamanya oleh kurangnya pendidikan dan perancangan kewangan yang baik," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian pada Majlis Makan Tengah Hari AKPK di sini hari ini.

Hadir sama Penolong Gabenor Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), Abu Hassan Alshari Yahya dan Pengarah Bahagian Pengurusan Pembangunan Akademik Jabatan Pendidikan Tinggi, Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi Malaysia, Dr Aishah Abu Bakar.

AKPK adalah agensi yang diberi mandat oleh BNM untuk mempertingkatkan tahap celik kewangan dikalangan rakyat negara ini, sejajar wawasan 'Amalkan Pengurusan Kewangan Yang Berhemat Sebagai Budaya Hidup'.

Azaddin berkata, rekod Jabatan Insolvensi Malaysia disokong hasil kajian yang dijalankan Asian Institute of Finance (AIF).

Beliau berkata, AIF mendapati tahap pendidikan kewangan dikalangan remaja adalah rendah, hanya 28 daripada mereka yakin untuk mengendalikan pengurusan kewangan, manakala 58 peratus mengakui memiliki ilmu pendidikan kewangan sederhana.

Bagi Gen Y di negara ini, 38 peratus daripada mereka mengambil pinjaman peribadi, manakala 47 peratus pula terbabit dengan kadar hutang kad kredit tinggi, katanya.

Selain itu, katanya 70 peratus daripada mereka hanya membayar lima peratus jumlah minimum bulanan kad kredit dan seramai 45 peratus gagal membayar hutang mengikut jadual pembayaran balik yang ditetapkan.

"Ini secara tidak langsung memberi tekanan kewangan sehingga terjebak dengan pelbagai hutang," katanya.

Azaddin berkata, sehingga Oktober 2016, AKPK memberi khidmat nasihat dan kaunseling kewangan kepada lebih 492,000 peminjam, yang mana daripada jumlah itu lebih 164,000 peminjam menyertai Program Pengurusan Kredit (PPK), program yang ditawarkan kepada peminjam yang tidak dapat mengawal bebanan hutang.

"Hampir kesemua pelanggan yang bermasalah, tidak kira peringkat umur, bangsa, pekerjaan atau kerjaya mengakui mereka tidak mempunyai perancangan kewangan yang baik dari peringkat awal"

Dari segi peringkat umur, 15 peratus adalah di bawah 30 tahun dan 39 peratus antara 31 hingga 40 tahun," katanya.

Kadar muflis golongan muda di...

NEWS

Posted at Dec 06, 2016

KUALA LUMPUR: Kadar muflis golongan muda di Malaysia adalah sesuatu yang merisaukan.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK), Azaddin Ngah Tasir, berkata berdasarkan rekod Jabatan Insolvensi Malaysia, sebanyak 97,215 kes kebankrapan dicatatkan di negara ini sepanjang tempoh 2012 sehingga September 2016.

Beliau berkata, daripada jumlah itu, sebanyak 22,581 kes, atau 23 peratus, membabitkan kategori dewasa muda, atau Gen Y, yang berumur antara 25 hingga 34 tahun diisytiharkan muflis, selain sebanyak 1,157 kes membabitkan mereka berumur di bawah umur 25 tahun.

"Antara sebab utama kebankrapan adalah akibat kegagalan melunaskan pinjaman sewa beli kenderaan membabitkan 26,801 kes, atau 27.6 peratus, disusuli pinjaman peribadi 22,153 kes, atau 22.8 peratus dan pinjaman perumahan 18,819 kes, atau 19.4 peratus.

"Mereka yang diisytiharkan muflis mengakui punca utama kegagalan dalam mengawal kewangan mereka disebabkan terutamanya oleh kurangnya pendidikan dan perancangan kewangan yang baik," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian pada Majlis Makan Tengah Hari AKPK di sini hari ini.

Hadir sama Penolong Gabenor Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), Abu Hassan Alshari Yahya dan Pengarah Bahagian Pengurusan Pembangunan Akademik Jabatan Pendidikan Tinggi, Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi Malaysia, Dr Aishah Abu Bakar.

AKPK adalah agensi yang diberi mandat oleh BNM untuk mempertingkatkan tahap celik kewangan dikalangan rakyat negara ini, sejajar wawasan 'Amalkan Pengurusan Kewangan Yang Berhemat Sebagai Budaya Hidup'.

Azaddin berkata, rekod Jabatan Insolvensi Malaysia disokong hasil kajian yang dijalankan Asian Institute of Finance (AIF).

Beliau berkata, AIF mendapati tahap pendidikan kewangan dikalangan remaja adalah rendah, hanya 28 daripada mereka yakin untuk mengendalikan pengurusan kewangan, manakala 58 peratus mengakui memiliki ilmu pendidikan kewangan sederhana.

Bagi Gen Y di negara ini, 38 peratus daripada mereka mengambil pinjaman peribadi, manakala 47 peratus pula terbabit dengan kadar hutang kad kredit tinggi, katanya.

Selain itu, katanya 70 peratus daripada mereka hanya membayar lima peratus jumlah minimum bulanan kad kredit dan seramai 45 peratus gagal membayar hutang mengikut jadual pembayaran balik yang ditetapkan.

"Ini secara tidak langsung memberi tekanan kewangan sehingga terjebak dengan pelbagai hutang," katanya.

Azaddin berkata, sehingga Oktober 2016, AKPK memberi khidmat nasihat dan kaunseling kewangan kepada lebih 492,000 peminjam, yang mana daripada jumlah itu lebih 164,000 peminjam menyertai Program Pengurusan Kredit (PPK), program yang ditawarkan kepada peminjam yang tidak dapat mengawal bebanan hutang.

"Hampir kesemua pelanggan yang bermasalah, tidak kira peringkat umur, bangsa, pekerjaan atau kerjaya mengakui mereka tidak mempunyai perancangan kewangan yang baik dari peringkat awal"

Dari segi peringkat umur, 15 peratus adalah di bawah 30 tahun dan 39 peratus antara 31 hingga 40 tahun," katanya.

Dec 06, 2016 | BeritaHarianOnline

NEWS

Posted at Dec 06, 2016

KUALA LUMPUR: Kadar muflis golongan muda di Malaysia adalah sesuatu yang merisaukan.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK), Azaddin Ngah Tasir, berkata berdasarkan rekod Jabatan Insolvensi Malaysia, sebanyak 97,215 kes kebankrapan dicatatkan di negara ini sepanjang tempoh 2012 sehingga September 2016.

Beliau berkata, daripada jumlah itu, sebanyak 22,581 kes, atau 23 peratus, membabitkan kategori dewasa muda, atau Gen Y, yang berumur antara 25 hingga 34 tahun diisytiharkan muflis, selain sebanyak 1,157 kes membabitkan mereka berumur di bawah umur 25 tahun.

"Antara sebab utama kebankrapan adalah akibat kegagalan melunaskan pinjaman sewa beli kenderaan membabitkan 26,801 kes, atau 27.6 peratus, disusuli pinjaman peribadi 22,153 kes, atau 22.8 peratus dan pinjaman perumahan 18,819 kes, atau 19.4 peratus.

"Mereka yang diisytiharkan muflis mengakui punca utama kegagalan dalam mengawal kewangan mereka disebabkan terutamanya oleh kurangnya pendidikan dan perancangan kewangan yang baik," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian pada Majlis Makan Tengah Hari AKPK di sini hari ini.

Hadir sama Penolong Gabenor Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), Abu Hassan Alshari Yahya dan Pengarah Bahagian Pengurusan Pembangunan Akademik Jabatan Pendidikan Tinggi, Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi Malaysia, Dr Aishah Abu Bakar.

AKPK adalah agensi yang diberi mandat oleh BNM untuk mempertingkatkan tahap celik kewangan dikalangan rakyat negara ini, sejajar wawasan 'Amalkan Pengurusan Kewangan Yang Berhemat Sebagai Budaya Hidup'.

Azaddin berkata, rekod Jabatan Insolvensi Malaysia disokong hasil kajian yang dijalankan Asian Institute of Finance (AIF).

Beliau berkata, AIF mendapati tahap pendidikan kewangan dikalangan remaja adalah rendah, hanya 28 daripada mereka yakin untuk mengendalikan pengurusan kewangan, manakala 58 peratus mengakui memiliki ilmu pendidikan kewangan sederhana.

Bagi Gen Y di negara ini, 38 peratus daripada mereka mengambil pinjaman peribadi, manakala 47 peratus pula terbabit dengan kadar hutang kad kredit tinggi, katanya.

Selain itu, katanya 70 peratus daripada mereka hanya membayar lima peratus jumlah minimum bulanan kad kredit dan seramai 45 peratus gagal membayar hutang mengikut jadual pembayaran balik yang ditetapkan.

"Ini secara tidak langsung memberi tekanan kewangan sehingga terjebak dengan pelbagai hutang," katanya.

Azaddin berkata, sehingga Oktober 2016, AKPK memberi khidmat nasihat dan kaunseling kewangan kepada lebih 492,000 peminjam, yang mana daripada jumlah itu lebih 164,000 peminjam menyertai Program Pengurusan Kredit (PPK), program yang ditawarkan kepada peminjam yang tidak dapat mengawal bebanan hutang.

"Hampir kesemua pelanggan yang bermasalah, tidak kira peringkat umur, bangsa, pekerjaan atau kerjaya mengakui mereka tidak mempunyai perancangan kewangan yang baik dari peringkat awal"

Dari segi peringkat umur, 15 peratus adalah di bawah 30 tahun dan 39 peratus antara 31 hingga 40 tahun," katanya.

BNM establishes financial educ...
Nov 16, 2016 | TheSunOnline