The Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP) is open to receiving complaints and lists of cooperatives experiencing difficulties obtaining assistance or grants, including from members of the Senate, to ensure that every application is reviewed transparently and thoroughly.
Deputy Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said the ministry guarantees that no community cooperative or small cooperative will be sidelined from accessing government support.
He urged Senators to submit names of cooperatives facing issues with aid distribution, stressing that he would personally review each case to ensure no cooperative is neglected.
Ramanan was responding to Senator Hussin Ismail, who raised concerns that small community cooperatives struggle to secure aid due to limited capital and management capacity.
He said the ministry’s openness reflects its commitment to strengthening cooperative governance and improving support systems.
Ramanan also highlighted that the Malaysian Cooperative Commission (SKM) provides various support schemes, including collateral-free revolving capital funds of up to RM200,000 and matching grants of up to RM300,000 for community cooperatives.
He added that stricter monitoring has been implemented to ensure funds are used responsibly, while processes are being simplified to help new and small cooperatives grow without bureaucratic obstacles.
Beyond cooperative matters, Ramanan said KUSKOP is undertaking major improvements in micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) financing, including digitalising applications, reducing documentation and shortening approval times.
He said TEKUN Nasional now requires only four documents and approves applications within seven working days; AIM has shortened approvals to 16 working days; SME Bank has introduced online applications; Bank Rakyat now processes SME financing within 14 days; Pernas uses a fully digital end-to-end financing system; and the Contractor Service Centre (PKK) has reduced approval time from 34 to 26 days.
“Our priority is to ensure entrepreneurs and cooperatives receive support faster, more transparently and without burdensome bureaucracy,” he said.