Sunday, March 31, 2013

Mustafha to take over as Bank Rakyat MD from April 1

KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 (Bernama) -- Bank Rakyat has appointed Datuk Mustafha Abd Razak as its managing director effective Monday (April 1), succeeding Datuk Yusof Abdul Rahman who retires on Sunday.

Source from (The Star Online): http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2013/3/30/business/12908475&sec=business
Published: March 31, 2013

Source from (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20130330012817/Article/
Published: March 31, 2013

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=938284
Published: March 31, 2013

Source from (The Sun Daily): http://www.thesundaily.my/news/650089
Published: April 01, 2013

management team
Datuk Mustafha Abd. Razak

He succeeds Datuk Yusof Abdul Rahman, who retires on March 31.

Mustafha was the bank's senior general manager, bank operations, since July 2012. Mustafha, 45, he holds a bachelor of commerce (accountancy) degree from the University of Wollongong, Australia.

During his time at the bank, he had worked in various departments including internal audit, information technology audit, accounts and budgetary control and treasury.

In 2006, he was appointed head of accounts and information management, and subsequently general manager of finance and bank secretary until June 2012.

Bank Rakyat Lantik Mustafha Abd Razak Sebagai Pengarah Urusan

KUALA LUMPUR, 29 Mac (Bernama) -- Bank Rakyat melantik Datuk Mustafha Abd Razak sebagai Pengarah Urusan, berkuat kuasa Isnin (1 April), menggantikan Datuk Yusof Abdul Rahman, yang bersara pada Ahad.

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bm/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=938306
Published: March 31, 2013

Source from (Sinar Online): http://www.sinarharian.com.my/bisnes/bank-rakyat-lantik-mustafha-abd-razak-sebagai-pengarah-urusan-1.144189
Published: March 31, 2013

management team
Datuk Mustafha Abd. Razak

Mustafha, 45, memulakan kerjaya dalam bidang perbankan di pelbagai jabatan, termasuk audit dalaman, audit teknologi maklumat, akaun, kawalan bajet dan perbendaharaan," kata bank koperasi Islam terbesar Malaysia itu dalam satu kenyataan.

Jawatan terakhir beliau ialah Pengurus Besar (kewangan) dan Setiausaha bank hingga Jun tahun lepas sebelum dilantik sebagai Pemangku Pengarah Urusan.

-- BERNAMA 

PruBSN new business sales up 15pc to RM265.7m

KUALA LUMPUR: Prudential BSN Takaful Bhd (PruBSN), a syariah-compliant financial services provider, says its new business sales has grown by 15 per cent to RM265.7 million on an annual contribution equivalent basis for the financial year ended December 31 2012.

Source from (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/pru29/Article/
Published: March 31, 2013

Its gross contribution rose 38 per cent to RM782.3 million last year, up from RM568.9 million in 2011, the company said yesterday.

To date, PruBSN has a 28.4 per cent market share in the country.

Chief executive officer Azim Mithani said the results demonstrated the success of the company's clear and focused strategies to emerge as a leading innovative and dynamic solutions provider in the country's takaful industry.

He said PruBSN will remain focused on maintaining professionalism, offer exemplary customer services and introduce product innovations while constantly evaluating new distribution channels, including using new technology, to drive further growth. Bernama

Jualan Perniagaan Baru PruBSN Naik 15 Peratus Kepada RM265.7 Juta Bagi Tahun Kewangan 2012

KUALA LUMPUR, 29 Mac(Bernama) -- Prudential BSN Takaful Bhd (PruBSN), penyedia perkhidmatan kewangan yang mematuhi syariah mencatatkan kenaikan 15 peratus dalam jualan perniagaan baru, kepada RM265.7 juta bagi asas bersamaan sumbangan tahunan untuk tahun kewangan berakhir 31 Dis, 2012.

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bm/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=938263
Published: March 31, 2013

Sumbangan kasarnya naik 38 peratus kepada RM782.3 juta tahun lepas, meningkat daripada RM568.9 juta pada 2011, demikian menurut syarikat dalam satu kenyataan Jumaat.

Sehingga kini, PruBSN mempunyai 28.4 peratus bahagian pasaran dalam negara.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Azim Mithani berkata keputusan berkenaan menunjukkan kejayaan syarikat dalam strategi yang jelas dan tertumpu untuk muncul sebagai penyedia penyelesaian dinamik dan inovatif dalam industri takaful negara.

Beliau berkata PruBSN akan terus fokus terhadap usaha mengekalkan profesionalisme, menawarkan perkhidmatan pelanggan yang boleh diikuti dan memperkenalkan inovasi produk di samping sentiasa menilai saluran agihan baharu, termasuk menggunakan teknologi baharu untuk terus memacu pertumbuhan.

Syarikat turut mengumumkan Nabil Jeffri, pemandu ujian Formula One termuda dunia sebagai duta jenama.

PruBSN merupakan usaha sama antara bank komuniti, Bank Simpanan Nasional, dan Prudential Plc, yang masing-masing menguasai 51 peratus dan 49 peratus pegangan.

-- BERNAMA

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Felda, BSN tandatangan MoU

KUANTAN 25 Mac - Felda menandatangani memorandum persefahaman (MoU) dengan Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) dalam memperkenalkan perkhidmatan Ejen Bank Berdaftar (EBB) di tanah rancangan agensi itu di seluruh negara.

Source from (Utusan Malaysia): http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Ekonomi/20130326/ek_06/Felda-BSN-tandatangan-MoU
Published: March 26, 2013

Menurut kenyataan Felda di sini hari ini, majlis MoU itu diadakan di tanah rancangan Felda Mempaga 2, Bentong semalam yang disaksikan oleh Pengerusi Felda, Tan Sri Mohd. Isa Abdul Samad dan Pengerusi BSN, Tan Sri Abu Bakar Abdullah.

Yang turut hadir Pengarah Besar Felda, Datuk Faizoull Ahmad dan Ketua Eksekutif BSN, Datuk Adinan Maning.

Kata kenyataan itu, perkhidmatan EBB BSN akan membolehkan warga peneroka serta penduduk berdekatan dengan tanah rancangan melakukan transaksi perbankan asas tanpa perlu ke bank.

"Perkhidmatan itu akan beroperasi dengan melantik peneroka Felda yang memiliki perniagaan bagi menjana pendapatan sampingan.

"Langkah itu juga akan dilaksanakan di premis perniagaan milik Felda Trading Sdn. Bhd., yang dikenali sebagai D'Mart," kata kenyataan itu.

Kata kenyataan itu, sebanyak 4,554,913 transaksi dengan nilai lebih RM405.85 juta dicatatkan sehingga 19 Mac lalu sejak perkhidmatan EBB dilaksanakan pada Januari tahun lalu.

Tambahnya, sehingga kini BSN mempunyai 3,593 ejen EBB di seluruh negara dan yakin akan meningkat kepada 5,000 ejen berdaftar menjelang 2015.

"Antara perkhidmatan ditawarkan ialah pengeluaran, deposit, pembayaran bil, pembelian Sijil Simpanan Premium dan pembayaran tanpa tunai melalui mana-mana ejen yang berdaftar," kata kenyataan itu.

Felda Signs MoU With BSN On Branchless Banking

KUALA LUMPUR, March 25 (Bernama) -- The Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) to introduce registered agents at Felda schemes throughout the country.

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=937160
Published: March 26, 2013

In a statement today, Felda said the BSN agents would enable the settlers and nearby residents to undertake basic banking transactions without having to visit the bank.

The service will be operated using appointed Felda settlers who own business premises.

It will also be implemented on business premises owned by Felda Trading Sdn Bhd, or known as D'Mart.

Felda said it hoped the service will assist settlers with business premises to earn some side income.

BSN has at present 3,593 registered agents throughout Malaysia and is confident of raising this number to 5,000 by 2015.

The BSN registered agents programme, launched last year, has recorded 4,554,913 transactions valued at about RM404.858 million as of March 19 this year.

-- BERNAMA 

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Lima individu didakwa tipu Agro Bank

KUALA LUMPUR - Lima individu didakwa di Mahkamah Sesyen di sini hari ini terhadap tiga pertuduhan menipu Agro Bank berhubung dokumen permohonan pinjaman bank itu Februari lalu.

Source from (Sinar Online): http://www.sinarharian.com.my/semasa/lima-individu-didakwa-tipu-agro-bank-1.142025
Published: March 24, 2013

Kesemua mereka mengaku tidak bersalah terhadap pertuduhan itu yang dibacakan berasingan di hadapan Hakim Murtazadi Amran.
   
Roslinda Mah Alim, 33, dan Mohd Idzzuwan Kamshah, 25, didakwa bersama seorang lagi yang masih bebas menipu bank itu melalui Niazatun Nikmatlah, 42, sehingga mempercayai dokumen permohonan pinjaman jenis Agro Cash-I bagi penama Jalina Mohd Shariff, 33, merupakan tulen.
  
Tindakan kedua-dua tertuduh itu mendorong bank tersebut menyerahkan wang RM100,000 ke akaun Jalina.
  
Mereka yang bekerja sendiri didakwa melakukan kesalahan itu pada 2 petang, 6 Februari lalu di Agro Bank cawangan Cheras di sini, mengikut Seksyen 420 Kanun Keseksaan yang membawa hukuman penjara 20 tahun dan sebat serta denda jika sabit kesalahan.

Hakim Murtazadi membenarkan setiap tertuduh yang diwakili peguam Mohd Jamil Yaacob dijamin RM30,000 dengan seorang penjamin dan menetapkan 26 April untuk sebutan semula kes.
  
Tiga lagi lelaki didakwa terhadap tiga pertuduhan menipu bank itu di cawangan Bandar Tasek Selatan dan Leboh Pasar, membabitkan jumlah RM125,000 bulan lalu.
  
Redzuan Abdul Azis, 32, Ahmad Kamal Zulkifly, 27, dan Izzat Shamil Jasmi, 23, didakwa memperdayakan bank itu menerusi Zamakhsyari Omar sehingga mempercayai bahawa dokumen permohonan pinjaman Agro Cash-i yang dikemukakan adalah tulen.
  
Perbuatan mereka mendorong pihak bank menyerahkan wang sejumlah RM125,000 ke dalam akaun Ahmad Kamal dan Izzat Shamil yang mana pihak bank tidak akan berbuat demikian sekiranya tidak diperdayakan.
  
Redzuan didakwa melakukan kesalahan itu di bank tersebut di cawangan Bandar Tasek Selatan dan Leboh Pasar pada 1 tengah hari, 5 Feb lalu.
  
Redzuan turut didakwa atas pertuduhan bersubahat dengan Izzat Shamil bagi tujuan sama, pada hari sama.
  
Mereka bertiga didakwa mengikut Seksyen 420 Kanun Keseksaan manakala Redzuan pula dituduh mengikut Seksyen 109 kanun sama kerana bersubahat.
  
Mahkamah membenarkan Redzuan dijamin RM50,000, Ahmad Kamal RM30,000 manakala Izzat Shamil RM20,000 dan menetapkan 26 April untuk sebutan.
  
Pendakwaan dilakukan Timbalan Pendakwa Raya Haderiah Siri manakala peguam Mohammad Arifin Abdul Wahab mewakili Redzuan sementara dua tertuduh yang lain tidak diwakili peguam.  - Bernama

Dana terkumpul Tabung Haji RM40b

Lembaga Tabung Haji (Tabung Haji) membuktikan kredibiliti sebagai antara pengurus dana paling berkaliber di negara ini apabila berjaya mengumpulkan sebanyak RM40 bilion, lebih tiga kali ganda berbanding RM13.3 bilion yang dicatatkan pada 2006.

Source from (Harian Metro): http://www.hmetro.com.my/myMetro/articles/DanaterkumpulTabungHajiRM40b/Article/index_html
Published: March 24, 2013

Pengarah Urusan Kumpulan dan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutifnya Datuk Ismee Ismail berkata, prestasi sangat memberangsangkan itu dicapai hasil pelan strategik yang dirangka selain meningkatnya kepercayaan orang ramai terhadap kemampuan syarikat.

“Dalam tempoh hanya tujuh tahun, kami sudah mengumpulkan dana sebanyak RM40 bilion. Jumlah pendeposit Tabung Haji kini mencecah 8.2 juta orang.” “Kami juga sudah mencapai sasaran untuk menarik 50 peratus daripada masyarakat Islam Malaysia menyimpan dalam Tabung Haji dan akan terus berusaha untuk memastikan jumlah ini meningkat,” katanya ketika melakukan lawatan rasmi ke Balai Berita The New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd (NSTP) Bangsar di sini, semalam.

Hadir sama, Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif NSTP Mohammad Azlan Abdullah, Pengarang Urusan Kumpulan NSTP Datuk Abdul Jalil Hamid dan Pengarang Kumpulan Harian Metro (HM) Datuk Mustapa Omar.

Ismee berkata, tahun lalu, Tabung Haji meraih keuntungan selepas cukai dan zakat sebanyak RM2.14 bilion.

“Bayaran dividen dan bonus pendeposit tahun lalu berjumlah RM2.46 bilion,” katanya.

Mengulas unjuran tahun kewangan semasa, beliau berkata, pihaknya menjangkakan prestasi serupa dengan tahun lalu.

“Kami mengambil pendekatan optimis tetapi berhati-hati. Kami akan terus memantapkan perniagaan teras kami iaitu antaranya dalam sektor kewangan Islam, hartanah dan perladangan,” katanya.

Tabung Haji cadang bina hotel di Jeddah ganti Madinatul Hujjaj

GURUN - Cadangan pembinaan hotel bagi menggantikan bangunan Madinatul Hujjaj di Jeddah sebagai pusat transit jemaah haji Malaysia sebelum berangkat pulang ke tanah air akan memberi nilai tambah dan keselesaan kepada jemaah.

Source from (Sinar Online): http://www.sinarharian.com.my/bisnes/tabung-haji-cadang-bina-hotel-di-jeddah-ganti-madinatul-hujjaj-1.142253
Published: March 24, 2013

Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom berkata kemudahan fasiliti di bangunan Madinatul Hujjaj kelolaan Lembaga Tabung Haji (Tabung Haji) itu kini berada pada tahap minimum manakala tempoh sewaan bangunan itu hampir tamat.
  
"Kita fikir masanya sudah sampai bagi Tabung Haji mencari kaedah lebih praktikal untuk menyelesaikan masalah untuk jangka masa panjang dan selama-lamanya. Jadi elok kita bina bangunan baharu untuk menempatkan jemaah haji," katanya pada sidang media selepas merasmikan konvensyen Perkhidmatan Hal Ehwal Islam Zon Utara di Harvard Suasana Hotel, di sini, hari ini.
  
Katanya Tabung Haji masih dalam peringkat perbincangan dengan kerajaan Arab Saudi dan pemilik tanah berhubung pembelian hartanah bagi membina hotel itu.
  
Jamil Khir berkata bagi memastikan kelancaran pergerakan dan urusan jemaah haji Malaysia yang akan berangkat pulang ke tanah air, mereka ditempatkan di Madinatul Hujjaj dua hari lebih awal dari jadual penerbangan mereka.

Bangunan Madinatul Hujjaj menyediakan tempat untuk lebih 1,000 jemaah haji pada satu-satu masa dan pernah digunakan bagi menempatkan kira-kira 7,000 pelajar Malaysia di Mesir yang terkandas dalam rusuhan negara itu pada 2011.
  
Dalam ucapannya, Jamil Khir berkata konvensyen itu menjadi platform untuk pegawai-pegawai agama yang berkhidmat di Bahagian Agama Polis Diraja Malaysia (Baka), Jabatan Penjara, Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat, Agensi Anti Dadah Kebangsaan (AADK), Institut Kemahiran Belia Negara (IKBN) dan Institut Latihan Pertanian membincangkan isu-isu berkaitan bidang tugas mereka.
  
"Mereka adalah pegawai agama di bawah pentadbiran Jakim (Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia)...melalui konvensyen ini setiap perkara boleh dibincangkan dan diselesaikan bersama berdasarkan fatwa," katanya. - Bernama

Kena tunggu 15 tahun tunai haji - Singapura

Singapura: Jemaah di republik ini yang masih belum mendaftar untuk mengerjakan haji kini terpaksa menunggu sekurang-kurangnya 15 tahun lagi sehingga selepas 2027 sebelum dapat menunaikannya. 

Source from (Berita Harian): http://www.bharian.com.my/bharian/articles/Kenatunggu15tahuntunaihaji/Article
Published: March 24, 2013

Bagi yang sudah mendaftar, ada antaranya terpaksa menunggu sehingga 14 tahun sehingga 2027.
Perkara ini dinyatakan Setiausaha Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS), Abdul Razak Maricar, kelmarin dalam satu taklimat media berhubung butiran sistem pendaftaran baru haji.

Beliau berkata tempoh menunggu itu dikira berdasarkan kuota 680 jemaah haji setahun yang diperuntukkan kepada Singapura dan jumlah 9,199 orang yang telah mendaftar dan sedang menunggu giliran untuk menunaikan haji.

Katanya, tempoh menunggu lama itu dialami umat Islam di semua negara, yang ada sistem tersendiri. - AGENSI

Friday, March 22, 2013

Close watch on NBFIs: BNM

PETALING JAYA (March 22, 2013): Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) is closely monitoring the lending practices of non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) such as Bank Rakyat Bhd and Malaysia Building Society Bhd (MBSB), particularly those that lend to the lower-income segments, as a spike in personal financing loans has raised alarm bells.

Source from (The Sun Daily): http://www.thesundaily.my/news/642902
Published: March 22, 2013

In its Financial Stability and Payment Systems Report 2012, the central bank said it has increased the intensity of its supervisory reviews of NBFIs under its regulatory purview.

It now requires NBFIs to enhance the calculation of debt service ratios by including repayments which are not part of automatic salary deduction and to review the features of of its lending products, including repayment tenure, that are likely to encourage irresponsible and imprudent borrowing by households.

About 80% of personal financing by NBFIs are to salaried households in the government services based on an automatic salary deduction scheme administered by Biro Perkhidmatan Angkasa (BPA).

This has also seen it engage with the Cooperative Commission of Malaysia (SKM) and the board and senior management of larger NBFIs which are not currently under any form of regulatory oversight.

The recent passage of new legislation and the amendments to the Central Bank of Malaysia Act 2009 empowers the central bank to address risks from entities outside of its regulatory perimeter.

While NBFIs and the development financial institutions (DFIs) accounted for only about 12% of total credit to the household sector, collectively they provide a 57% share of personal financing credit to households and it has been increasing significantly.

Personal financing as a share of household debt increased to 17% from 16% in 2011, as result of this.

"On average there is no concern on household debt but the lower income group RM3,000 and below increasingly become over leveraged not only on assets like cars and houses, but personal loans. This is where the concern arises," BNM Governor Tan Sri Zeti Akhtar Aziz told a media briefing in conjunction with the release of BNM Annual Report and Financial Stability and Payment Systems Report 2012 on Wednesday.

Last year, the three largest NBFIs, comprising a DFI, a large cooperative and a building society, expanded at a faster rate of 23.1%.

The strong credit was primarily driven by the increase in personal financing activity which rose at its fastest pace to date by 30%. In 2011, it grew by 25.11%.

In 2012, the average financing amount for personal financing facilities by NBFIs stood at RM68,000, up 26% from 2011 and 30.2% higher than average personal financing facilities by banks.

The proportion of new personal financing facilities for amount exceeding RM100,000 also increased significantly to 26% of total new facilities approved (2011:15%).

BNM found that in order to comply with salary deduction thresholds (BPA has it at 60% of total income), financing packages allowed for extended repayment tenures or in some cases bullet repayment principal and interest upon reaching retirement.

"The long maturity of the financing portfolio by NBFIs (of up to 20-25 years for personal financing) vis-a-vis shorter term funding sources (largely deposits with maturity of not exceeding 12 months) gives rise to material funding mismatch and liquidity risk," BNM said.

As at end of 2012, the loan-to-deposit ratio for these NBFIs ranged between 77% and as high as 125%.

The low reliance on bank borrowings of abut RM2.6 billion or 1.4% of banking system capital base however limits the potential spillove of risks from the NBFIs to the banking system.

BNM said NBFIs practices have encouraged the build-up of leverage among low income households and spending beyond their means.

In 2012, non-performing loans for NBFIs remained low at 1.6% compared with 1.8% for personal financing in the banking system.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Government Committed To Ensure Growth Of Bumi SMEs At Par With Other Groups (SME Bank)

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- The government is committed to ensure that the development of Bumiputera small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is at par vis-a-vis other groups in the country.

Source from (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/etp287/Article/
Published: March 20, 2013

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=935711
Published: March 20, 2013

Source from (The Star Online): http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2013/3/20/business/12861455&sec=business
Published: March 20, 2013


According to the Performance Management and Implementation Unit (Pemandu), the strategic reform initiative (SRI) has been introduced to promote the expansion and growth of (SMEs) to help these companies on a needs basis.

Under the SRI policy, the Bumiputera transformation programme should be market-friendly and transparent, and can be given on the basis of need and merit, according to the 2012 Annual Report of the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) released Tuesday.

The report is issued by Pemandu under the Prime Minister's Department which oversees the implementation, assess progress, facilitate and support the ETP and Government Transformation Programme (GTP).

According to the report, as of 2010, Bumiputera ownership of share capital (at par value) of limited companies remained at 23 per cent, still short of the 30 per cent target for corporate equity ownership set for macro-level.

This concern is further magnified by the fact that Bumiputera households make up 65 per cent of total households in Malaysia, and represent a higher proportion of low-income households in the country.

Therefore, the initiatives under the SRI led by Unit Peneraju Agenda Bumiputera (TERAJU), the lead co-ordinator in driving the Bumiputera ETP, would help them grow and develop capacities, improve competitiveness and reduce their reliance on the government for procurement contracts.

Teraju has introduced the Teras (High-Performing Bumiputera Companies) programme, geared towards increasing their participation in the economy, the report said.

The programme aims to identify a total of 1,100 High-Performing Bumiputera Companies with potential for growth and help them expand beyond the Malaysian market.

This programme, which provides funds for the companies and projects through the RM2 billion Bumiputera Facilitation Fund and RM1.02 billion Teras Fund, would in addition market Teras companies to the global stage.

According to the report, in the past three years a total of 300 Bumiputera companies have shown a revenue growth of approximately 17 per cent a year.

Teraju also manages the Skim Jejak Jaya Bumiputera (SJJB) a government initiative introduced in 2007, providing "last-mile" support to eligible Bumiputera companies for listing on Bursa Malaysia.

Under the SJJB initiative, Teraju has helped several companies to be listed on Bursa Malaysia namely, Datasonic Group Bhd, Prestariang Ltd, Century Software Holdings Bhd and Handal Resources Bhd.

Moving forward, SRI would continue to focus on providing qualified Bumiputera companies with access to finance to fund their future growth.

-- BERNAMA 

Kerajaan komited pastikan pembangunan bumiputera setara di negara ini (SME Bank)

KUALA LUMPUR, 19 Mac — Kerajaan terus komited untuk memastikan pembangunan Bumiputera adalah setara berbanding dengan kumpulan lain di negara ini. Unit Pengurusan Prestasi dan Perlaksanaan (Pemandu) di Jabatan Perdana Menteri menyatakan, Inisiatif Pembaruan Strategik (SRI) Merapatkan Jurang Ketaksamaan telah diperkenalkan untuk menggalakkan perkembangan dan pertumbuhan perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) Bumiputera.

Source from (The Malaysian Insider): http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/bahasa/article/kerajaan-komited-pastikan-pembangunan-bumiputera-setara-di-negara-ini/
Published: March 20, 2013

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bm/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=935694
Published: March 20, 2013

Unit Pengurusan Prestasi dan Perlaksanaan (Pemandu) di Jabatan Perdana Menteri menyatakan, Inisiatif Pembaruan Strategik (SRI) Merapatkan Jurang Ketaksamaan telah diperkenalkan untuk menggalakkan perkembangan dan pertumbuhan perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) Bumiputera.

Dasar itu mencadangkan supaya program transformasi Bumiputera seharusnya mesra pasaran dan telus serta diberikan atas asas keperluan dan merit, kata Pemandu dalam laporan Tahunan Program Transformasi Ekonomi (ETP) 2012 yang diumumkan Selasa.

Pemandu merupakan satu unit di bawah Jabatan Perdana Menteri yang menyelia perlaksanaan, menilai kemajuan, memudah cara serta menyokong penyampaian dan memacu kemajuan ETP dan Program Transformasi Kerajaan (GTP).

Menurut laporan itu, pada 2010, pemilikan modal saham Bumiputera (pada nilai tara) dalam syarikat berhad kekal pada 23 peratus, masih kekurangan 30 peratus sasaran pemilikan ekuiti korporat yang ditetapkan pada peringkat makro.

Kebimbingan itu dibesarkan lagi oleh hakikat bahawa isi rumah Bumiputera membentuk 65 peratus daripada jumlah isi rumah di Malaysia, dan mewakili bahagian yang lebih besar isi rumah berpendapatan rendah di negara ini.

Oleh itu, SRI yang diterajui oleh Unit Peneraju Agenda Bumiputera (Teraju), penyelaras utama dalam memacu ETP Bumiputera, akan memudahkan syarikat-syarikat Bumiputera untuk berkembang dan membangunkan kapasiti dan meningkatkan daya asing dan mengurangkan pergantungan mereka kepada Kerajaan bagi perolehan kontrak.

Teraju telah memperkenalkan Program Teras (Syarikat Bumiputera Berprestasi Tinggi) yang menjurus ke arah meningkatkan peryertaan Bumiputera dalam ekonomi, kata laporan itu.

Program Teras itu, bagi mengenal pasti 1,100 syarikat Bumiputera yang berpotensi dan membantu mereka berkembang di luar pasaran Malaysia, menyediakan dana untuk syarikat dan projek Bumiputera melalui Dana Mudahcara Bumiputera bernilai RM2 bilion, Dana Teras bernilai RM1.02 bilion dan memasarkan syarikat Teras ke peringkat global.

Menurut laporan itu, tiga tahun yang lalu, 300 syarikat Teras Bumiputera mencatatkan pertumbuhan perolehan 17 peratus setahun.

Selain itu, Teraju juga menguruskan Skim Jejak Jaya Bumiputera (SJJB), satu inisiatif kerajaan yang diperkenalkan pada 2007, menyediakan sokongan "peringkat terakhir" kepada syarikat Bumiputera yang layak untuk penyenaraian di Bursa Malaysia.

Di bawah inisiatif SJJB, Teraju telah membantu beberapa syarikat penyeraian di Bursa Malaysia termasuk, Datasonic Group Bhd, Prestariang Bhd, Century Software Holdings Bhd dan Handal Resources Bhd.

Pemandu berkata, SRI akan terus memberi tumpuan kepada menyediakan syarikat Bumiputera yang layak dengan akses kepada pembiayaan untuk membiayai pertumbuhan masa depan mereka.

-- BERNAMA 

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Agrobank to fully implement Islamic banking by 2015

BACHOK (March 17, 2013): Agrobank plans to fully implement Islamic banking by 2015 as part of its transformation programme, with all its existing financing products and deposits to be changed to syariah-compliant products.

Source from (The Sun Daily): http://www.thesundaily.my/news/638722
Published: March 19, 2013

"This will contribute to the growth of domestic Islamic banking and at the same time encourage ethical banking practices," president and CEO Wan Mohd Fadzmi Wan Othman said at the presentation of the bank's zakat contribution of RM30,000 by Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin here today to 300 eligible recipients in the district including orphans.

Wan Mohd Fadzmi said despite the challenges, Agrobank is committed to further expanding the Islamic finance system to one that is more dynamic, responsive and sustainable.

Agrobank has 186 branches nationwide, with eight opened last year including in Felda Tenggaroh 2, Bukit Gambir, Pagoh and Ranau as well as at the Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur and Kelantan Urban Transformation Centres.

The Bachok branch serves 43,000 depositors with total deposits of some RM26 million with a staff strength of 22, he said, adding in financial year 2011 Agrobank set aside some RM2.1 million as zakat for distribution to eligible recipients. – Bernama

Monday, March 18, 2013

Agrobank laksana perbankan Islam sepenuhnya menjelang 2015

BACHOK, 17 Mac (Bernama) -- Agrobank Malaysia bercadang melaksanakan sistem perbankan Islam sepenuhnya menjelang tahun 2015 yang merupakan inisiatif penting dalam program transformasi bank berkenaan.

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bm/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=935087
Published: March 18, 2013

Source from (Utusan Malaysia): http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Ekonomi/20130317/ek_01/Agrobank-laksana-perbankan-Islam-sepenuhnya-menjelang-2015
Published: March 19, 2013

Source from (Harian Metro): http://www.hmetro.com.my/myMetro/articles/PerbankanIslamsepenuhnyapada2015/Article/index_html
Published: March 19, 2013

Presiden dan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif, Wan Mohd Fadzmi Wan Othman berkata, selaras dengan sasaran itu, semua produk pembiayaan dan deposit sedia ada akan ditukar kepada produk berasaskan prinsip syariah.

"Ini untuk menyumbangkan kepada pertumbuhan perbankan Islam domestik dan pada masa yang sama menggalakkan amalan perbankan yang beretika," katanya pada majlis penyampaian zakat Agrobank oleh Timbalan Menteri Kewangan, Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin di sini, Ahad.

Pada majlis itu, seramai 300 penduduk miskin dan anak yatim di sekitar daerah Bachok masing-masing menerima wang zakat berkenaan yang membabitkan peruntukan sebanyak RM30,000.

Wan Mohd Fadzmi berkata, ini merupakan satu cabaran besar kepada Agrobank lebih-lebih lagi apabila industri kewangan Islam kini semakin menyerlah dalam suasana persekitaran yang penuh dengan cabaran dan sentiasa dilanda arus perubahan.

Sehubungan itu, beliau berkata, Agrobank akan komited untuk mengembangkan lagi sistem kewangan Islam ke arah pembangunan satu sistem yang lebih dinamik, responsif dan mapan.

Beliau berkata, sehingga kini Agrobank sudah mempunyai rangkaian 186 cawangan di seluruh negara dan daripada jumlah itu, lapan dibuka tahun lepas, antaranya di Felda Tenggaroh 2, RTC Kelantan, Bukit Gambir, Pagoh, UTC Kuala Lumpur, Ranau dan UTC Ipoh.

Katanya, bagi cawangan Bachok, ia mempunyai 43,000 pelanggan deposit dengan nilai simpanan melebihi RM26 juta manakala bilangan kakitangan ditambah kepada 22 orang bagi memastikan kemudahan perbankan yang ditawarkan dapat dinikmati dengan sepenuhnya terutama golongan petani dan nelayan.

Mengenai zakat, beliau berkata, bagi tahun perniagaan 2011 Agrobank memperuntukkan bayaran zakat sebanyak lebih RM2.1 juta untuk diagihkan kepada asnaf yang layak secara berperingkat.

-- BERNAMA

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Abu Bakar is BSN’s new chairman

KUALA LUMPUR: Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) said Tan Sri Abu Bakar Abdullah is its chairman, succeeding Datuk Seri Abdul Azim Mohd Zabidi.

Source from (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20130315234322/Article/index_html
Published: March 17, 2013

Appointed by the Minister of Finance, Abu Bakar — who was director general of the Public Service Department — is under a three-year contract from March 1 this year.

He started his career in 1977 as the assistant director of domestic trade to the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, a position he held until 1982.

Bekas Pengarah Urusan Bank Rakyat meninggal dunia

KUALA LUMPUR - Bekas Pengarah Urusan Bank Rakyat, Datuk Kamaruzaman Che Mat meninggal dunia di Hospital KPJ Selangor, Shah Alam pagi tadi akibat masalah buah pinggang.

Source from (Sinar Online): http://www.sinarharian.com.my/semasa/bekas-pengarah-urusan-bank-rakyat-meninggal-dunia-1.140173
Published: March 17, 2013

Jurucakap Bahagian Komunikasi Korporat bank berkenaan memberitahu Bernama, Kamaruzaman, 59, mengadu mengalami masalah pernafasan lewat malam tadi sebelum meninggal pada 1.45 pagi.

Allahyarham menerima rawatan buah pinggang di hospital itu sejak akhir bulan lepas.

Jenazah dibawa ke kediamannya di Seksyen 11, Shah Alam sebelum disembahyang di Surau Al-Hidayah pada pukul 11.30 pagi.

Jenazah akan dikebumikan di Tanah Perkuburan Islam Seksyen 21, Shah Alam pada tengah hari.

Allahyarham meninggalkan isteri Datin Umi Salmah Mahali, 54, dan tiga orang anak lelaki.

Allahyarham pernah menyandang jawatan Profesor Adjung, Kolej Perniagaan Universiti Utara Malaysia. - Bernama

TH Properties Eyes RM54.6 Million Sales From Linea Housing Project

KUALA LUMPUR, March 15 (Bernama) -- TH Group of Companies, which recently launched the Linea project at Bandar Enstek in Negeri Sembilan, expects to hit RM54.6 million in total sales value following impressive response at the launch.

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=934674
Published: March 17, 2013

Source from (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/LINEA/Article/
Published: March 18, 2013



This followed an impressive response at the launch of the project last Saturday.

The company said 25 units with a sales value of RM31.3 million have been snapped up by buyers taking advantage of the RM5,000 discount for the first 20 purchasers.

The freehold property is built on a 8.77ha land and is slated for completion in March 2015.

The project comprises two phases, with the first involving 51 houses with spacious built-up areas of 1,954 sq ft to 2,268 sq ft and a generous layout of four to five bedrooms and three to five bathrooms.

The second phase, with a total of 43 units, will be launched in the same year.

Linea is a luxurious and elegant super link terrace project that provides an exquisite modern living experience. The units are priced from RM450,400 to RM1.02 million each.

TH Properties is active in property development, construction and facilities management.

The group is developing Bandar Enstek, a fast maturing township on 2,047.6ha of land in close proximity to Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

TH Properties Sasar Jualan RM54.6 Juta Menerusi Projek Perumahan Linea

TH Properties (THP) anak syarikat milik penuh Lembaga Tabung Haji, pemaju bagi projek pembangunan Bandar Enstek kini berada pada tahap lebih 50 peratus siap daripada keseluruhan projek berkeluasan 5,119 ekar yang dijangka siap sepenuhnya menjelang 2025.

Source from (Utusan Malaysia): http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Korporat/20130316/ko_04/TH-Properties-sasar-jualan-RM546-juta
Published: March 17, 2013

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bm/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=934685
Published: March 17, 2013

Source from (Harian Metro): http://www.hmetro.com.my/myMetro/articles/Projekrancak/Article/index_html
Published: March 24, 2013

Pengurus Kanan Pemasaran dan Jualannya Mohd Adlee Yusof berkata, pihaknya kini giat membangunkan beberapa projek pembangunan kediaman dan institusi yang menjadi sebahagian besar daripada semua projek dijalankan.

“Pembangunan di Bandar Enstek dibahagikan empat bahagian dengan bahagian paling besar untuk projek institusi merangkumi institusi pengajian tinggi awam dan swasta, pusat latihan dan kolej antarabangsa seperti Epsom International College dan Cempaka International Ladies College,” katanya. ketika ditemui Bisnes Metro, kelmarin.

Menurutnya, nilai pembangunan kasar (gdv) bagi keseluruhan pembangunan Bandar Enstek mencecah RM9.2 bilion dan pihaknya terus melancarkan projek terbaru merangkumi unit komersial dan kediaman.

“Ketika mula dibangunkan sekitar tahun 2000, kami memulakan pembangunan di sini dengan projek kediaman ketika itu dijual pada harga RM138,000 bagi kediaman jenis dua tingkat iaitu projek Persada Damai.

“Berikutan pembangunan lebih rancak di sini dengan pertambahan sistem rangkaian jalan raya, maka kediaman jenis sama kini ditawarkan pada harga mencecah melebihi RM450,000,” katanya.

Menurutnya, pihaknya yakin nilai hartanah di Bandar Enstek akan terus meningkat dengan bermulanya operasi beberapa institusi.

“Antara institusi pengajian yang telah beroperasi di sini termasuk Politeknik Nilai dan Kolej Tunku Kursiah (TKC).

“Kami juga menjangkakan lebih banyak institusi akan beroperasi tidak lama lagi seperti Institut Aminuddin Baki dan Epsom International College,” katanya.

Mohd Adlee berkata, setakat ini, populasi di Bandar Enstek dianggarkan melebihi 10,000 orang dengan 2,200 unit rumah didiami dan selepas semua institusi beroperasi sepenuhnya, jumlah populasi dijangka meningkat lebih agresif.

Friday, March 15, 2013

Bank Simpanan Nasional lantik pengerusi baru

KUALA LUMPUR - Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) mengumumkan pelantikan Y.Bhg. Tan Sri Abu Bakar bin Haji Abdullah sebagai Pengerusinya menggantikan Y. Bhg. Dato' Seri Abdul Azim Bin Mohd. Zabidi yang telah tamat tempoh perkhidmatannya pada 30 Jun, 2009. Tan Sri Abu Bakar, bekas Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam Malaysia, yang dilantik oleh YAB Menteri Kewangan, akan berkhidmat sebagai Pengerusi BSN untuk tempoh tiga tahun bermula 1 Mac 2013.

Source from (The Malaysian Insider): http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/bahasa/article/bank-simpanan-nasional-lantik-pengerusi-baru/
Published: March 15, 2013

Source from (Sinar Online): http://www.sinarharian.com.my/bisnes/bank-simpanan-nasional-lantik-pengerusi-baru-1.139607
Published: March 15, 2013

BANK Simpanan Nasional (BSN)


Tan Sri Abu Bakar bin Haji Abdullah telah berkhidmat dari tahun 2010 hingga 
2012 sebagai Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam Malaysia.

Y.Bhg Tan Sri, telah memulakan kerjaya beliau pada tahun 1977 di Kementerian Perdagangan Antarabangsa & Industri sebagai Penolong Pengarah perdagangan dalam Negeri, jawatan yang telah dipegang beliau sehingga tahun 1982. Beliau kemudiannya dilantik sebagai Ketua Penolong Pengarah Pembangunan Industri Kereta Motor sehingga 1986. Beliau seterusnya telah berkhidmat di Kementerian Pertahanan sehingga tahun 2001.

Pada tahun 2001, Y.Bhg Tan Sri telah dilantik sebagai Setiausaha Bahagian Pembangunan Perancangan Lembah Kelang di bawah Jabatan Perdana Menteri dan tiga tahun kemudian iaitu pada tahun 2004 telah dilantik sebagai Timbalan Ketua Setiausaha Kementerian Wilayah Persekutuan. Beliau telah dilantik sebagai Ketua Setiausaha Kementerian Pertahanan pada tahun 2007 sebelum dilantik sebagai Ketua Pengarah Perkhidmatan Awam Malaysia pada tahun 2010.

Pihak pengurusan yakin bahawa Y.Bhg Tan Sri dengan pengalaman beliau yang luas di sektor Kerajaan akan membantu pihak pengurusan mencapai matlamat untuk menjadikan BSN institusi perbankan yang berdaya maju.

Mengenai Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN)

BSN merupakan sebuah Badan Berkanun di bawah Kementerian Kewangan dan ditubuhkan pada 1 Disember, 1974. Semenjak penubuhannya, semua tugas dan tanggungjawab di bawah Bank Simpanan Pejabat Pos telah diambil alih oleh BSN. Misi BSN ialah untuk menggalakkan tabungan, pelaburan dan pengurusan kewangan yang bijak di kalangan rakyat Malaysia sejajar untuk meningkatkan kesejahteraan dan kualiti hidup mereka. Kini BSN mempunyai lebih 6,000 orang kakitangan, 397 cawangan, 982 mesin teller automatik (ATM), 255 mesin deposit tunai (CDM) di seluruh negara dan 3,606 Ejen Bank Berdaftar BSN (sehingga 14 Mac 2013) di seluruh negara. BSN mempunyai lebih 8 juta pelanggan di seluruh Malaysia dengan simpanan runcit berjumlah RM 10.4 billion.

BSN telah melaksanakan inisiatif utama melalui proses transformasi dan perubahan baru bagi memastikan ia terus berdaya saing. BSN akan terus mempertingkatkan perkhidmatan serta memperkembangkan produk-produk perbankan untuk kemudahan pelanggan. Produk-produk teras BSN termasuklah Pinjaman Persendirian, Pinjaman Perumahan, Pinjaman Mikro Kewangan, Sijil Simpanan Premium, Skim Perbankan Islam, Akaun Simpanan GIRO, Kad Debit BSNMatrix dan BSN Matrix-i dengan kemudahan MEPS, Kad Kredit VISA dan Mastercard. BSN juga menyediakan perkhidmatan perancangan kewangan yang merangkumi perubatan, insurans dan penulisan wasiat. Untuk maklumat lanjut mengenai BSN, layari laman sesawang www.mybsn.com.my

SUMBER : BANK SIMPANAN NASIONAL (BSN)

UNTUK MAKLUMAT LANJUT SILA HUBUNGI:
Nama : Arida Ariffin
Naib Presiden
Bahagian Hal Ehwal Korporat
Tel : 03-2162 3222 sambungan 6006
Emel : arida_ariffin@bsn.com.my
Faks : 03-2162 6623

Nama : Siti Zubaidah Zakaria (Ida)
Penolong Naib Presiden
Bahagian Hal Ehwal Korporat
Tel : 03-2162 3222 sambungan 6001
Emel : siti_zubaidah@bsn.com.my
Faks : 03-2162 6623

- Bernama

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Bank Rakyat To Name New MD April 1

KUALA LUMPUR, March 13 (Bernama) -- Bank Rakyat will name its new managing director (MD) on Apr 1, 2013, said Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. "Our policy is to promote people from within the bank.

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=934296
Published: March 14, 2013

"Although the board of directors has the power to propose, there is still authority like Bank Negara Malaysia to vet the nominees," he told reporters after announcing the bank's financial results here wednesday. Bank Rakyat recently announced the retirement of managing director, Datuk Yusof Abdul Rahman, effective Apr 1, 2013. Yusof has gone on leave from March 1, it said.

It said Datuk Mustafha Abdul Razak, senior general manager for banking operations, will assume responsibility until a new MD was appointed.

--- BERNAMA 

Bank Rakyat Umum Pengarah Urusan Baru 1 April

KUALA LUMPUR, 13 Mac (Bernama) -- Bank Rakyat akan mengumumkan Pengarah Urusannya yang baharu 1 April ini, kata Menteri Perdagangan Dalam Negeri, Koperasi dan Kepenggunaan Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

Source from (Utusan Malaysia): http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Korporat/20130314/ko_03/Bank-Rakyat-umum-bos-baharu-1-April
Published: March 13, 2013

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bm/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=934287
Published: March 14, 2013

"Dasar kita memang akan menaikkan (pangkat) orang dari dalam (Bank Rakyat). Seperti yang sentiasa saya beritahu, walaupun lembaga pengarah berkuasa untuk mencadangkan, namun masih lagi ada pihak lain seperti Bank Negara untuk meneliti nama-nama yang dihantar," katanya kepada pemberita selepas mengumumkan keputusan kewangan bank itu Rabu.

Bank Rakyat baru-baru ini mengumumkan persaraan Datuk Yusof Abdul Rahman berkuat kuasa 1 April, 2013.

Yusof mula bercuti pada 1 Mac.

Datuk Mustafha Abdul Razak, Pengurus Besar Kanan Operasi Perbankan, kini menjalankan tugas sehingga lantikan Pengarah Urusan baharu dibuat.

-- BERNAMA

Bank Rakyat’s profit up 5%, declares 18% dividends totalling RM495mil for 2012

KUALA LUMPUR, March 13 (Bernama) -- Bank Rakyat, the largest Islamic cooperative in Malaysia, today announced a RM2.11 billion profit before tax and zakat (tithe) for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2012.

Source from (The Star Online): http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2013/3/14/business/12835735&sec=business
Published: March 14, 2013

Source from (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/RAKYAT13/Article/index_html
Published: March 14, 2013

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=934186
Published: March 14, 2013

Source from (The Malaysian Insider): http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/business/article/bank-rakyat-declares-rm2.11b-profit-before-tax-and-zakat-18pc-dividend-for-fy-2012/
Published: March 14, 2013







Ismail (centre) showing the bank’s performance at the press conference. With him are chairman Tan Sri Sabbaruddin Chik and deputy minister Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim.
Ismail (centre) showing the bank’s performance at the press conference. 
With him are chairman Tan Sri Sabbaruddin Chik and deputy minister 
Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim.

The bank announced the dividend of 16% involving a cash payout of RM440mil and bonus share dividend of 2% amounting to RM55mil.

Bank Rakyat's profit before tax and zakat rose 4.7% to RM2.1bil in 2012 from RM2.02bil in financial year 2011.

Speaking at a briefing on the bank's results, Domestic Trade, Co-operative and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the bank's profit was driven by growth in its total income from financing and deposit coupled with strong assets quality “despite facing challenges in the local banking industry”.

Consumer financing remained as the major focus of the bank's business, accounting for 88.5% of the bank's total financing while commercial financing accounted for the remaining 11.5%.

The country's largest Islamic cooperative bank's gross income rose by 13.2% or RM726.6mil to RM6.23bil compared with RM5.50bil in the previous year.

Ismail said net income after profit distribution to depositors grew by 2.9% to RM3.34bil compared with RM3.24bil a year ago.

He added the income from financing increased to RM4.96bil last year compared to RM4.46bil in 2011.

“The fee-based income increased 20.5% to RM110.9mil from RM92mil previously, with 80.1% contributed by income from Takaful commissions, wills issuances and ATM service fees,” Ismail noted.

Ismail said the bank's total assets increased 9.3% last year to RM79.21bil compared with RM72.48bil in 2011, with return on asset remained strong at 2.8%.

“Asset quality continued to remain strong as at the end of December 2012, with a gross impaired financing ratio of 2.5%,” he added.

Meanwhile, the bank's deposits grew 7.1% or RM4.16bil to RM62.67bil in 2012 compared with RM58.51bil previously.

However, the bank's net profit declined 13% to RM1.74bil from RM2bil in the same period a year ago.

Moving forward, the bank is targeting to invest RM300mil as capital expenditure in financial year 2013, and planned to raise it through its internal funds.

“We are targeting to upgrade several branches, setting up three new main branches, five service branches, add 110 ATM machines and 20 pawn brooking Ar-Rahnu Xchange outlets.

Ismail said the three main branches would be located in Lapis, Johor, Marang, Terengganu and in Kampar, Perak, with each costing RM1mil.

To date, Bank Rakyat has 141 branches and 56 Ar-Rhanu Xchange outlets nationwide.

“For this year we are expecting the net profit to be better than last year,” Ismail said.

On its new managing director, Ismail expected the announcement to be made on April 1.

Bank Rakyat was established in 1954 and it is an agency under the Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Ministry.

Bank Rakyat Umum Keuntungan Sebelum Cukai Dan Zakat RM2.11 Bilion, Dividen 2012 18 Peratus

KUALA LUMPUR, 13 Mac (Bernama) -- Bank Rakyat, koperasi Islam terbesar di Malaysia, mengumumkan keuntungan sebelum cukai dan zakat sebanyak RM2.11 bilion untuk tahun kewangan berakhir 31 Dis, 2012.

Source from (Harian Metro): http://www.hmetro.com.my/myMetro/articles/BankRakyatciptarekod/Article/index_html
Published: March 14, 2013

Source from (Berita Harian): http://www.bharian.com.my/bharian/articles/BankRakyatraihuntungRM2_11b/Article
Published: March 14, 2013

Source from (Utusan Malaysia): http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Korporat/20130314/ko_01/Dividen-Bank-Rakyat-18
Published: March 13, 2013

Source from (Utusan Malaysia): http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Ekonomi/20130313/ek_03/Bank-Rakyat-umum-dividen-18-peratus
Published: March 13, 2013

Source from (Sinar Online): http://www.sinarharian.com.my/bisnes/bank-rakyat-untung-pracukai-rm2-11b-dividen-18-1.139330
Published: March 14, 2013

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bm/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=934259
Published: March 14, 2013

Bank Rakyat


Ismail Sabri Yaakob (tiga dari kanan) menunjukkan dividen sebanyak 
18 peratus yang akan diagihkan kepada ahlinya di kuala Lumpur, 
semalam. Hadir pada majlis Pengerusi Bank Rakyat, 
Tan Sri Sabaruddin Chik (dua dari kiri).

Bank Rakyat raih untung RM2.11b

Selepas ditolak cukai serta zakat, keuntungan bersih bank koperasi berlandaskan Syariah itu ialah sebanyak RM1.74 bilion.

Berikutan pencapaian itu ia mengumumkan bayaran dividen 18 peratus membabitkan pembayaran berjumlah RM495 juta kepada 947,541 anggotanya.

Ia merangkumi dividen tunai sebanyak 16 peratus membabitkan pembayaran RM440 juta, serta dua peratus dalam bentuk saham bonus bernilai sejumlah RM55 juta.

Mengumumkan keputusan kewangan itu, Menteri Perdagangan Dalam Negeri, Koperasi dan Kepenggunaan, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. berkata prestasi cemerlang dicatatkan Bank Rakyat itu didorong pertumbuhan pendapatan pembiayaan dan deposit, selain kualiti aset yang kukuh meskipun berdepan cabaran dalam industri perbankan tempatan.

Beliau menjelaskan, pendapatan kasar Bank Rakyat meningkat 13.2 peratus kepada berjumlah RM6.23 bilion tahun lalu berbanding RM5.50 bilion pada 2011.

Agihan keuntungan

Pendapatan bersih selepas agihan keuntungan kepada pendeposit, katanya meningkat sebanyak 2.9 peratus kepada RM3.34 bilion berbanding RM3.24 bilion.

Pendapatan daripada sumber pembiayaan meningkat 11.2 peratus kepada RM4.96 bilion berbanding RM4.46 bilion tahun lalu, yang mana RM4.53 bilion atau 91.4 peratus disumbangkan oleh perbankan konsumer manakala perbankan komersial menyumbang RM430 juta atau 8.6 peratus daripada keseluruhan pendapatan pembiayaan, katanya di Kuala Lumpur.

Ismail Sabri berkata, pendapatan berasaskan yuran bank koperasi itu pula adalah sebanyak RM110.9 juta, naik 20.5 peratus berbanding RM92 juta pada 2011.

Daripada jumlah berkenaan, katanya pendapatan komisen takaful, wasiat dan yuran ATM menyumbang sebanyak 80.1 peratus.

Jumlah aset Bank Rakyat meningkat 9.3 peratus kepada RM79.21 bilion tahun lalu berbanding RM72.48 bilion pada 2011. Pada akhir tahun lalu, pulangan ke atas aset terus mengukuh pada kadar 2.8 peratus, katanya.

Beliau berkata, Bank Rakyat turut mencatatkan pertumbuhan kukuh baki pembiayaannya, meningkat 11.9 peratus kepada RM56.76 bilion berbanding RM50.70 bilion.

Pembiayaan konsumer, katanya terus menjadi fokus utama perniagaan bank koperasi itu dengan menyumbang 88.5 peratus daripada keseluruhan pembiayaannya.

Dari segi portfolio pembiayaan, sektor peribadi adalah penyumbang terbesar iaitu sebanyak 87.5 peratus daripada keseluruhan pembiayaan konsumer, katanya.

Ismail Sabri berkata, kualiti aset Bank Rakyat terus kukuh yang mana nisbah pembiayaan terjejas kasar pada akhir tahun lalu hanya pada kadar 2.5 peratus.

Pada masa sama, katanya liputan atas kerugian pembiayaan bank koperasi itu kekal tinggi pada kadar 106.4 peratus.

Bank Rakyat juga mencatatkan pertumbuhan deposit yang kukuh iaitu sebanyak 7.1 peratus kepada RM62.67 bilion tahun lalu, berbanding RM58.51 bilion pada 2011.

Kualiti aset terus kukuh

Dana pemegang sahamnya meningkat 23.6 peratus kepada RM10.33 bilion berbanding RM8.35 bilion hasil sumbangan penambahan untung bersih dan penambahan modal saham berbayar.

Sementara itu, Ismail Sabri berkata, Bank Rakyat akan mengumumkan Pengarah Urusannya yang baharu pada 1 April ini.

"Dasar kita memang akan menaikkan (pangkat) orang dari dalam (Bank Rakyat). Seperti yang sentiasa saya beritahu, walaupun lembaga pengarah berkuasa mencadangkan, namun masih ada pihak lain seperti Bank Negara untuk meneliti nama yang dihantar," katanya.

Bank Rakyat baru-baru ini mengumumkan persaraan Datuk Yusof Abdul Rahman berkuat kuasa 1 April, 2013. Beliau mula bercuti pada 1 Mac. Datuk Mustafha Abdul Razak, Pengurus Besar Kanan Operasi Perbankan, kini menjalankan tugas sehingga pelantikan Pengarah Urusan baharu dibuat.

CGC Set To Guarantee RM2 Billion In New Loans This Year

PETALING JAYA, March 13 (Bernama) -- Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Bhd (CGC) is confident of providing guarantee cover for RM2 billion in new loans this year.

Source from (The Star Online): http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2013/3/14/business/12833714&sec=business
Published: March 14, 2013

Source from (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/cgc/Article/
Published: March 14, 2013

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=934159
Published: March 14, 2013

Alliance Bank SME head K.Y. Lim (left) exchanging documents with CGC assistant general manager Kristine Ng. With them are Miller (left) and CGC managing director Datuk Wan Azhar Wan Ahmad.
Alliance Bank SME head K.Y. Lim (left) exchanging documents with 
CGC assistant general manager Kristine Ng. With them are Miller (left) 
and CGC managing director Datuk Wan Azhar Wan Ahmad.

Its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Wan Azhar Wan Ahmad said he was certain the corporation would surpass last year's loan figures, which was in excess of RM1 billion new loans, benefitting 3,000 customers.

"With the participation of five financial institutions, namely Alliance Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, OCBC Bank, RHB Bank and Public Bank, there will be more products in the pipeline for small and medium enterprises (SMEs)," he said to reporters at the signing of a strategic alliance agreement between CGC and Alliance Bank Bhd, here today.

Starting with a tranche size of RM50 million, the portfolio guarantee aims to assist small businesses by providing loans for working capital as well as asset acquisition.

CGC would be providing 70 per cent guarantee cover of the approved total principal amount taken by SMEs and would assist to verify the credibility of applicants in consultation with Alliance Bank, he said.

Wan Azhar said the minimum loan quantum under the portfolio guarantee is RM100,000 and the maximum is RM300,000 per SME customer at a fixed loan tenure of five years.

Applications can be made at any Alliance Bank branch nationwide under the Small Biz Express Scheme.

He said with pre-determined eligibility criteria, CGC has been able to provide approvals within three days upon receipt of the application from the participating financial institutions.

"The current approval rate is almost 90 per cent , which is relatively higher compared with our other schemes due to the efficiency of the process flow," said Wan Azhar.

Under this scheme, SMEs do not need collateral and track record, unlike commercial institutions, such as banks, that have to consider those risks, he said.

Wan Azhar hoped that once borrowers get into CGC guarantee scheme, they would be able to build their track record, and with this, they don't have to rely too much on government support.

"Our advantage is that CGC goes down to the smaller types of loan and the impact is greater in terms of the number of borrowers.

"Unlike commercial banks, our key performance indicators (KPI) are number-driven and more focused on the growth of SMEs to access financing. With the emergence of our scheme, it is designed to bring in the numbers," he said.

Creating access to these funds was the issue and not the fund availability which is in abundance currently, he added.

CGC was established in July 1972 to assist SMEs, especially those without or with inadequate collateral and track record to obtain credit facilities from financial institutions by providing guarantee cover on such facilities.

The corporation has cumulatively guaranteed more than 420,000 loans valued at close to RM51 billion since its establishment.

-- BERNAMA

CGC Jamin Pinjaman Baharu Bernilai RM2 Bilion Tahun Ini

PETALING JAYA, 13 Mac (Bernama) -- Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Bhd (CGC) yakin dapat memberikan perlindungan jaminan bagi pinjaman baharu bernilai RM2 bilion tahun ini.

Source from (Berita Harian): http://www.bharian.com.my/bharian/articles/CGC_AlliancetawarpinjamanPKSRM50j/Article
Published: March 14, 2013

Source from (Harian Metro): http://www.hmetro.com.my/myMetro/articles/PinjamanmudahbuatPKS/Article/index_html
Published: March 14, 2013

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bm/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=934183
Published: March 14, 2013

Pengarah Urusan merangkap Ketua Pegawai Eksekutifnya, Datuk Wan Azhar Wan Ahmad, berkata beliau pasti syarikat itu akan dapat menjamin pinjaman baharu bernilai RM1 bilion lebih tinggi daripada angka-angka pinjaman tahun lepas, dan memberi faedah kepada 3,000 pelanggan.

"Dengan penyertaan lima institusi kewangan, iaitu Alliance Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, OCBC Bank, RHB Bank dan Public Bank, akan ada lebih banyak produk dalam perancangan bagi perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS)," katanya kepada pemberita pada majlis menandatangani perjanjian perikatan strategik antara CGC dan Alliance Bank Bhd, di sini, Rabu.

Jaminan portfolio yang bermula dengan saiz tranche RM50 juta itu bertujuan membantu perniagaan-perniagaan kecil dengan menyediakan pinjaman bagi modal kerja serta pembelian aset.

CGC akan memberikan perlindungan jaminan 70 peratus daripada jumlah keseluruhan pinjaman pokok diluluskan yang diambil oleh PKS dan akan membantu untuk mengesahkan kredibiliti pemohon setelah berunding dengan Alliance Bank, katanya.

Wan Azhar berkata jumlah minimum pinjaman di bawah jaminan portfolio ialah RM100,000 manakala jumlah maksimum ialah RM300,000 bagi setiap pelanggan PKS dengan tempoh pinjaman tetap selama lima tahun.

Permohonan boleh dibuat di mana-mana cawangan Alliance Bank di seluruh negara di bawah Skim Ekspres Perniagaan Kecil.

Kata beliau dengan kriteria kelayakan yang telah ditentukan terlebih dahulu, CGC telah dapat memberikan kelulusan dalam tempoh tiga hari selepas menerima permohonan daripada institusi kewangan yang mengambil bahagian.

"Kadar kelulusan semasa ialah hampir 90 peratus, iaitu lebih tinggi berbanding skim-skim kami yang lain, hasil daripada kecekapan aliran proses," jelas Wan Azhar.

Di bawah skim ini, PKS tidak memerlukan kolateral dan rekod pencapaian, tidak seperti institusi-institusi komersial seperti bank, yang perlu mempertimbangkan risiko-risiko itu, tegas beliau.

Wan Azhar berkata apabila peminjam menyertai skim jaminan CGC ini, mereka akan dapat membina rekod pencapaian mereka, dan dengan ini, mereka tidak perlu terlalu bergantung kepada bantuan kerajaan.

"Kelebihan kami ialah CGC memberikan pinjaman yang lebih kecil tetapi impaknya lebih besar dari segi bilangan peminjam.

"Berbeza dengan bank-bank komersial, petunjuk prestasi utama (KPI) kami adalah didasarkan kepada pertambahan bilangan PKS yang mendapat kemudahan pembiayaan," katanya.

Mewujudkan kemudahan mendapatkan dana-dana ini merupakan perkara utama, bukan ketersediaan dana, yang sememangnya banyak sekarang, katanya.

CGC ditubuhkan pada Julai 1972 untuk membantu PKS, terutamanya yang tiada kolateral atau tidak mempunyai kolateral yang mencukupi dan rekod pencapaian untuk mendapatkan kemudahan kredit daripada institusi-institusi kewangan, dengan menyediakan perlindungan jaminan bagi kemudahan-kemudahan demikian.

Syarikat itu telah memberikan perlindungan jaminan kepada lebih 420,000 pinjaman bernilai hampir RM51 bilion sejak penubuhannya.

-- BERNAMA

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Government Hopes To Increase Number Of Local Franchisors Venturing Overseas (Exim Bank)

KUALA LUMPUR, March 12 (Bernama) -- The government hopes to increase the number of local franchisors venturing overseas by between 10 and 15 per cent by year-end. Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Deputy Minister Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim said to date, there were 47 local franchisors in 50 countries with 1,420 outlets.

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=933900
Published: March 13, 2013

Source from (The Star Online): http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2013/3/13/business/12829556&sec=business
Published: March 13, 2013

Source from (The Sun Daily): http://www.thesundaily.my/news/635252
Published: March 13, 2013



She was speaking to reporters after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Export-Import Bank of Malaysia (Exim) and the Malaysian Franchise Association (MFA) here Tuesday.

Exim Chief Executive Officer Datuk Adissadikin Ali signed on behalf of the bank while MFA was represented by Chairman Abdul Malik Abdullah.

Rohani said the top local franchisors were Nelson's (675 outlets), Deli Fresh (481 outlets), Secret Recipe (25 outlets), England Optical (21 outlets) and Old Town White Coffee Kopitiam (21 outlets).

She said last year the franchising sector had contributed RM24.3 billion to the country's gross domestic product (GDP).

"We take these positive developments as good signs, not only to the country's economic growth as a whole, but also in strategically creating a fertile environment," she said.

On the agreement, Adissadikin said Exim Bank would provide funding, risk management tools and advisory to local companies operating and investing overseas.

He said allocation of funds has also been made to promote Malaysia's local franchises under the MalaysiaKitchen Financing Facility.

Adissadikin said the government has allocated RM180 million to Exim Bank to manage the fund for the purpose of setting up or expanding existing Malaysian restaurants overseas.

"We have disbursed close to RM20 million and supported at least five restaurants.

"The balance of RM160 million will be available to those eligible for franchises, adding that it will be based on their audited accounts and at least three years of experience," he said.

Adissadikin said there are more funds under the MalaysiaKitchen Financing Facility for Malaysians who want to set up restaurants overseas.

He also said with the collaboration with MFA, they would be able to find those deserving franchises as MFA have their data and records.

"With the co-operation with MFA, we hope for the franchise players to embark on this opportunity for businesses to move forward," said Adissadikin.

-- BERNAMA

Jenama Malaysia peringkat global (Exim Bank)

Kuala Lumpur: Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri, Koperasi dan Kepenggunaan (KPDNKK) menyasarkan bilangan francaisor tempatan menerokai pasaran luar negara meningkat antara 10 hingga 15 peratus tahun ini.

Source from (Harian Metro): http://www.hmetro.com.my/myMetro/articles/JenamaMalaysiaperingkatglobal/Article/index_html
Published: March 13, 2013

Source from (Utusan Malaysia): http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Korporat/20130313/ko_03/lFrancaisor-tempatan-ke-luar-negara
Published: March 13, 2013

Timbalan Menterinya Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim berkata, sasaran itu dibuat selepas melihat francaisor tempatan yang semakin berkembang dan berjaya membawa jenama Malaysia ke peringkat global.

Katanya, setakat ini terdapat 47 francaisor tempatan di lebih 50 negara seluruh dunia dengan 1,424 premis dan tahun lalu sektor francais menyumbang sebanyak RM24.3 bilion kepada keluaran dalam negara kasar (KDNK).

“Industri francais menjadi antara sektor semakin berkembang di Malaysia dan ia bukan saja menyediakan sumber pendapatan kepada usahawan (francaisi) dengan modal yang lebih kecil dan risiko rendah, tetapi menawarkan latihan keusahawanan dibimbing francaisor.

“Kami melihat perkembangan positif ini sebagai petunjuk baik kepada pertumbuhan ekonomi negara secara menyeluruh dan secara strategiknya mewujudkan persekitaran baik,” katanya pada sidang media di majlis menandatangani perjanjian persefahaman (MoU) bersama Export-Import Bank of Malaysia (Exim Bank) di sini, semalam.

Hadir sama, Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Exim Bank, Datuk Adissadikin Ali dan Pengerusi MFA, Abdul Malik Abdullah. Rohani berkata, antara 10 francaisor tempatan menembusi pasaran luar negara adalah Nelson (675 premis), Daily Fresh (481 premis), Secret Recipe (25 premis), England Optical (21 premis), Old Town White Coffee Kopitiam (21 premis), Marry Brown (20 premis), Smart Reader (15 premis), Royal Selangor (14 premis), Reliance (13 premis) dan World Of FengShui (17 premis).

Foto 
ROHANI (tengah) menyaksikan pertukaran dokumen dilakukan 
antara Adissadikin (kiri) dan Abdul Malik.
Beliau berkata, tahun ini juga pihaknya akan ke China, Paris dan Indonesia serta seluruh ASEAN untuk melihat pasaran berpotensi terutama dalam sektor perkhidmatan serta makanan dan minuman.

Sementara itu, Adissadikin berkata, Exim Bank akan menyediakan pembiayaan, peralatan pengurusan risiko dan nasihat kepada syarikat tempatan beroperasi dan melabur di luar negara. Malah, peruntukan dana sudah dibuat menerusi Kemudahan Pembiayaan MalaysiaKitchen.

Beliau berkata, kerajaan memperuntukkan RM180 juta kepada Exim Bank untuk mengurus dana bagi tujuan penubuhan atau meluaskan restoran Malaysia di luar negara dan pihaknya menyalurkan RM20 juta bagi membangunkan lima restoran di luar negara.

“Baki RM160 juta lagi akan disalurkan kepada mereka yang layak untuk menjalankan perniagaan francais ke peringkat antarabangsa dan menerusi kerjasama dengan MFA, kami berharap pemegang francais dapat merebut peluang ini menggerakkan perniagaan mereka,” katanya.

Kazakhstan Keen On Haj Management And Islamic University

PUTRAJAYA, March 12 (Bernama) - Tabung Haji's (TH) good administration and management of haj pilgrims has impressed Kazakhstan which is keen to learn from Malaysia.

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/ge/newsgeneral.php?id=934003
Published: March 13, 2013

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said Kazakhstan is also keen to make the Islamic university here as model for their Islamic university.

Speaking to reporters after receiving a courtesy by Chairman of Religious Affairs of Khazakstan, Khairat Lama Sharif at his office here today, Jamil Khir said the delegation will visit TH tomorrow to get insight into its administration and management.

The delegation will return to Malaysia after the haj season to study the construction of an Islamic university in this country.

Kazakhstan and Malaysia hope to exchange views and input in the development of Islam since both countries have Muslims as majority of the population and a diversity of religions.

"He is thankful because Malaysia is a much admired country in the context of Islam especially in the management of haj pilgrims," said Jamil Khir.

Asked about amulets with Quranic verses said to make people invincible found on Sulu terrorists in Sabah, he said the superstition was not according to Islamic teachings.

Most disappointing was that the Quranic verses were wrongly written and tied to the legs and groin area.

"Consequently, those who wore the amulets were killed. Amulets don't make them invincible as only god has the power to determine their fate," he added.

--BERNAMA 

Kazakhstan Minat Belajar Pengendalian Haji Lembaga Tabung Haji - Jamil Khir

PUTRAJAYA, 12 Mac (Bernama) -- Kazakhstan berminat mempelajari proses pentadbiran dan pengendalian urusan haji oleh Lembaga Tabung Haji (Tabung Haji) yang disifatkan sebagai begitu baik, kata Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom.

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bm/ge/newsgeneral.php?id=933992
Published: March 13, 2013

Beliau berkata negara itu juga berminat menjadikan universiti Islam di negara ini sebagai model bagi pembinaan universiti Islam di negara mereka.

Bercakap kepada pemberita selepas menerima kunjungan Pengerusi Hal Ehwal Keagamaan Kazakhstan Khairat Lama Sharif di pejabatnya di sini Selasa, Jamil Khir berkata untuk itu delegasi negara itu akan dibawa melawat ibu pejabat Tabung Haji pada Rabu.

Delegasi itu juga akan kembali ke Malaysia selepas musim haji tahun ini bagi melihat butiran terperinci mengenai pembinaan universiti Islam di negara ini, katanya.

Jamil Khir berkata dalam pertemuan ringkas itu, kedua-dua negara juga diharap dapat saling bertukar pandangan dan input dalam membangunkan Islam terutama berkaitan agensi-agensi agama, memandangkan kedua-dua negara mempunyai majoriti penduduk beragama Islam dan juga penganut pelbagai agama lain.

"Beliau (Khairat Lama Sharif) juga amat berterima kasih kerana bagi beliau Malaysia adalah sebuah negara yang amat dikagumi dalam konteks Islam dan lebih-lebih lagi dalam konteks pengurusan haji," katanya.

Sementara itu, ketika ditanya mengenai pemakaian tangkal yang mempunyai ayat al-Quran oleh pengganas Sulu di Sabah kononnya untuk menjadi kebal, Jamil Khir berkata ia merupakan kepercayaan karut dan terkeluar daripada landasan Islam.

Beliau berkata lebih menyedihkan apabila ayat-ayat suci itu ditulis secara songsang dan diletakkan di tempat yang tidak sepatutnya seperti diikat di kaki dan di celah kelangkang mereka.

"Natijahnya semua dah tengok yang mana pakai tangkal tu mati juga...hanya kekuasaan Tuhan yang menentukan nasib, dan qada dan qadar mereka," katanya.

-- BERNAMA

Monday, March 11, 2013

SME Bank targets 700 more young entrepreneurs, plans to finish giving out RM50mil govt fund by Sept

JOHOR BARU: SME Bank Bhd hopes to finish disbursing the RM50mil allocation from the Government for the Young Entrepreneur Fund (YEF) by September to 700 recipients nationwide. Vice-president and head of priority banking Abd Karim Ahmad said it had received 42 applications for the scheme as of to date and would disburse RM5mil to them.

Source from (The Star Online): http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2013/3/11/business/12808836&sec=business
Published: March 11, 2013

He said that by April, the bank targeted to receive another 100 applications for the YEF and it would disburse RM15mil to the young entrepreneurs.

“We are hoping that the Government will allocate more budget for the YEF under Budget 2014,'' Abd Karim told StarBiz at the final leg of the SME Bank entrepreneur funding scheme roadshow.

SME Bank will open two new branches this year in Johor – one each in Batu Pahat and Pasir Gudang – in May and June respectively
SME Bank will open two new branches this year in Johor – one each 
in Batu Pahat and Pasir Gudang – in May and June respectively

Similar event was held in Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Miri, Kota Kinabalu and Kota Baru, focusing on the YEF and the SME Development Scheme (SDS) for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and young entrepreneurs.

The YEF is specially tailored for young entrepreneurs aged between 18 years and 30 years who plan to start or already run a business.

Each eligible applicant will receive up to RM100,000 as a start-up capital or working expenditure and has seven years to service the loan.

“We hope young enterprising people who want to start businesses to fully utilise the financial assistance given by the Government to them,'' said Abd Karim.

He said the main objective of the scheme was to assist young entrepreneurs who were not qualified to borrow money from commercial banks or other Government-related funding schemes.

Separately, SME Bank would open two new branches this year in Johor one each in Batu Pahat and Pasir Gudang in May and June respectively.

This will bring the number of its branches in the state to three.

South Johor SME Association chairman Teh Kee Sin said with the YEF and SDS schemes, there were no reasons for young entrepreneurs and SMEs to get loans from unlicensed money lenders.

“There are many Government-initiated schemes to assist our SMEs and they should take advantage of the schemes for their own benefits,'' he said.

Teh, who is also SMI Association of Malaysia national president, said the Government was now becoming more pro-active, adding that unlike before, it was now less hassle for SMEs to get loans.

He said the YEF scheme would also open doors of opportunities for young graduates to start business.

“My advice to first timers (young entrepreneurs) who have succeeded in getting the loan to honour the contract and pay your installments on time,'' said Teh.

He said they should be a responsible borrower as their act of not paying the loans on time or not servicing the loans at all was tantamount to denying other eligible applicants from getting the financial assistance.

Teh said young entrepreneurs and SMEs must have the mission and vision of making profits when venturing into businesses and able to expand over time.

“If you think you cannot do it, then don't do it, as doing business is challenging and not as easy as one might think but the reward is good,'' he said.

Friday, March 8, 2013

MyIPO Calls For More IP Owners In The Country

KUALA LUMPUR, March 7 (Bernama) -- Intellectual Property Corp of Malaysia (MyIPO), whose role is to monitor the development of intellectual property (IP) in the country, is encouraging more people to become IP owners rather than just users.

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=932728
Published: March 08, 2013

MyIPO director-general Datuk Azizan Mohamad Sidin said this is in line with the government's initiatives in pushing for more innovation as one of the drivers of the local economy.

To encourage that, he said the agency has been working closely and constantly with the local universities where most of the research and development (R&D) activities are carried out.

"The government has allocated a big sum of money to promote R&D. We want to turn our society from an IP user to an IP owner (so) in other words, MyIPO has been working together with universities on how best we can assist and facilitate them in speeding up IP registration," he told Bernama in an interview recently.

In fact, MyIPO has organised several roundtable sessions with universities to understand their problems relating to IP applications and to facilitate them during the registration process, he said.

From 2007 to 2012, a total of 186,505 IP registrations were issued.

Apart from universities, MyIPO has been working hard in creating awareness on the importance of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) among companies as well as the general public.

He said the growth in IP applications over the years has been encouraging, a reflection of increasing public awareness on the importance of IPR in their daily life.

"Last year, MyIPO received 40,992 IP applications, an increase of 10 per cent as compared to 2011 of 37,270 applications. Of that, 39 per cent of the applications were filed by Malaysians," he said.

Azizan said consumers are more intelligent in choosing what is best for them and are more inclined towards originality and quality of the product.

"Thus, when they opt to choose for original or genuine products, it is a sign that shows that they have respect for IP rights where the product belongs to the registered owner," he said.

He said the agency's goal is to create a community that values IP as a valuable economic asset and respects the rights of IP owners.

Awareness programmes in the pipeline include the launch of the IP mascot, IP Youth Camp, IP on Air programmes where successful SMEs share their experiences, and expanding IP awareness through social media.

For the past few years, MyIPO has achieved a lot including facilitating the shortening of the normal pendency period of processing for patents and trade mark applications from 38 months to 26 months and from 18 months to 12 months respectively.

The agency also introduced the IP Online System in February 2011, which provides a secure web-based filing system for patent, trade mark, industrial design and geographical indication.

-- BERNAMA

MyIPO Galak Lebih Ramai Orang Jadi Pemilik IP Di Negara Ini

KUALA LUMPUR, 7 Mac (Bernama) -- Perbadanan Harta Intelek Malaysia (MyIPO), yang peranannya memantau pembangunan hartanah intelektual (IP) di negara ini, menggalakkan lebih ramai orang menjadi pemilik IP dan bukan hanya sebagai pengguna semata-mata.

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bm/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=932768
Published: March 08, 2013

Ketua Pengarah MyIPO Datuk Azizan Mohamad Sidin berkata ini sejajar dengan inisiatif kerajaan untuk menggerakkan lagi inovasi menjadi sebagai satu daripada pemacu ekonomi tempatan.

Bagi menggalakkan inovasi, beliau berkata agensi itu telah bekerjasama rapat dengan universiti tempatan yang menjalankan kebanyakan daripada aktiviti penyelidikan dan pembangunan (R&D).

"Kerajaan memperuntukkan sejumlah besar wang bagi menggalakkan R&D. Kami mahu menukarkan masyarakat kita daripada sebagai pengguna IP kepada pemilik IP, dengan kata lain, MyIPO telah bekerjasama dengan universiti tentang cara terbaik yang kami boleh bantu dan memudahkan mereka untuk mempercepat pendaftaran IP," katanya kepada Bernama dalam satu temu bual baru-baru ini.

Malahan, MyIPO telah menganjurkan beberapa sesi meja bulat dengan universiti untuk memahami masalah mereka berkaitan permohonan IP dan memudahkan mereka semasa proses pendaftaran, katanya.

Dari 2007 hingga 2012, sejumlah 186,505 pendaftaran IP dikeluarkan.

Selain daripada universiti, MyIPO juga berusaha keras untuk mewujudkan kesedaran tentang kepentingan Hak Harta Intelektual (IPR) dalam kalangan syarikat serta orang awam.

Beliau berkata pertumbuhan permohonan IP beberapa tahun ini amat menggalakkan, mencerminkan peningkatan kesedaran awam tentang kepentingan IPR dalam kehidupan harian mereka.

"Tahun lepas, MyIPO menerima 40,992 permohonan IP, meningkat 10 peratus berbanding 2011 sebanyak 37,270 permohonan. Daripada jumlah itu, 39 peratus permohonan difailkan oleh rakyat Malaysia," katanya.

Azizan berkata pengguna lebih bijak dalam memilih apa yang terbaik bagi mereka dan lebih cenderung kepada keaslian dan kualiti produk.

"Justeru itu, apabila mereka memilih untuk memilih produk asli atau tulen, ia merupakan petanda yang menunjukkan bahawa mereka menghormati hak IP di mana produk menjadi hak milik pemilik berdaftar," katanya.

Beliau berkata matlamat agensi itu adalah untuk mewujudkan masyarakat yang menilai IP sebagai aset ekonomi berharga dan menghormati hak pemilik IP.

Program kesedaran yang sedang dirancang termasuklah pelancaran maskot IP, Kem Belia IP, Program IP Ke udara di mana PKS yang berjaya berkongsi pengalaman mereka dan mengembangkan kesedaran IP menerusi media sosial.

Sejak beberapa tahun ini, MyIPO telah mencapai banyak kemajuan termasuk memendekkan tempoh menunggu biasa bagi pemprosesan paten dan permohonan cap dagangan masing-masing dari 38 bulan kepada 26 bulan dan dari 18 bulan kepada 12 bulan.

Agensi itu juga memperkenalkan Sistem Dalam Talian IP pada Februari 2011, yang menyediakan sistem pemfailan berasaskan web selamat bagi paten, cap dagangan, reka bentuk perindustrian dan petunjuk geografi.

-- BERNAMA

Financial Institutions Should Accept IP As Security For Loan - Ismail Sabri

KUALA LUMPUR, March 7 (Bernama) -- Financial institutions should give their support and accept intellectual property (IP) as security for loan in a bid to enable small and medium-scale enterprises (SME) in the country to go global.

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/ge/newsgeneral.php?id=932847
Published: March 08, 2013

Source from (The Sun Daily): http://www.thesundaily.my/news/631229
Published: March 08, 2013

Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said he would propose to Bank Negara to make recommendations to financial institutions to accept IP as security for loan once Malaysia had its own qualified and recognised IP evaluators.

"This issue is still a big problem in our country. Financial institutions cannot accept IP as security for loan because we don't have qualified IP evaluators.

"Prior to this, if we need to use the service of an IP evaluator, we have to get it from other countries, such as Australia," he told a press conference after the launch of IP Evaluation Training Module mounted by the Intellectual Property Corp of Malaysia (MyIPO) here today.

He said the ministry was also in the midst of discussing with relevant government-linked financial institutions, such as Bank Rakyat, to start accepting IP as security loan.

For a start, Ismail Sabri said MyIPO and Multimedia Development Corporation (MDec) would select 20 participants to undergo the IP Evaluation Training to help SME entrepreneurs in evaluating their IPs.

He said the IP evaluators would comprise individuals from various fields, such as law, technical and finance, and would undergo the training for three months in stages starting this year.

He said the selected participants should have at least eight years of experience before they can be recognised as IP evaluators.

-- BERNAMA 

Institusi Kewangan Perlu Terima Harta Intelek Sebagai Cagaran - Ismail Sabri

KUALA LUMPUR, 7 Mac (Bernama) -- Sokongan institusi kewangan negara dengan menerima Harta Intelek (IP) sebagai cagaran pinjaman dapat membantu perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) mengembangkan perniagaan ke peringkat global.

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bm/ge/newsgeneral.php?id=932783
Published: March 08, 2013

Sehubungan itu, Menteri Perdagangan Dalam Negeri, Koperasi dan Kepenggunaan Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri berkata beliau akan mencadangkan kepada Bank Negara agar menyarankan institusi kewangan berbuat demikian apabila negara mempunyai penilai IP yang diiktiraf.

"Pihak institusi kewangan tidak boleh menerima IP sebagai cagaran disebabkan negara tidak ada penilai yang layak menilai sesuatu IP.

"Sebelum ini kalau kita mahukan penilai IP, kita terpaksa dapatkan daripada luar negara seperti Australia," katanya kepada pemberita selepas Pelancaran Modul Latihan Penilaian Harta Intelek anjuran Perbadanan Harta Intelek Malaysia (MyIPO), di sini Khamis.

Beliau berkata buat masa ini pihaknya sedang berunding dengan beberapa institusi kewangan berkaitan kerajaan untuk melaksanakan pinjaman menerusi cagaran IP tersebut.

Pada masa yang sama, katanya, MyIPO dan Perbadanan Pembangunan Multimedia akan memilih 20 peserta Penilai IP sebagai projek perintis, untuk mengikuti Modul Latihan Penilaian Harta Intelek.

Beliau berkata peserta terbabit meliputi pelbagai bidang antaranya undang-undang, kewangan dan teknikal yang akan mengikuti modul itu selama tiga bulan secara berperingkat bermula tahun ini.

"Kalau kita mahu menjadikan IP sebagai cagaran untuk mendapatkan pinjaman kepada usahawan PKS kita perlu mewujudkan penilai dalam kalangan rakyat negara kita," katanya.

Beliau berkata peserta yang terpilih itu mestilah mempunyai pengalaman sekurang-kurangnya lapan hingga 10 tahun untuk menjadi penilai IP yang diiktiraf.

-- BERNAMA

Malaysia's Exim Bank gets A3 rating from Moody’s

KUALA LUMPUR: Moody's Investors Service has assigned an A3 rating to Export-Import Bank of Malaysia Bhd's (Exim Bank) proposed HKD-denominated senior unsecured fixed-rate notes, with a stable outlook.

Source from (The Star Online): http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2013/3/8/business/12809684&sec=business
Published: March 08, 2013

The rating agency said Exim Bank's other ratings are A3 on its long-term foreign currency senior unsecured debt and (P)A3 on its long-term foreign currency senior unsecured medium-term notes (MTN) programme with a stable outlook. The proposed HKD-denominated notes would be issued pursuant to Exim Bank's US$1.5bil multi-currency MTN programme, Moody's said in a statement.

The A3 rating on Exim Bank's proposed HKD-denominated notes incorporates the bank's stand-alone credit profile of 14. Bernama

Lion Air secures Ex-Im Bank loan (US Export-Import Bank)

INDONESIA'S Lion Air, whose parent PT Lion Group owns a 49 per cent stake in Malindo Air, has secured a US$1.1 billion (RM3.41 billion) loan from the Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im bank) of the United States to buy 27 Boeing 737-900ER aircraft, some of which are for the fledgling Malaysian-based carrier.

Source from (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/MALINDO/Article/
Published: March 08, 2013

FINANCING PLAN: US$1.1 billion will be used for the purchase of 27 Boeing aircraft 

PT Lion Group chief executive officer Rusdi Kirana said aircraft delivery from this year until 2014 will be for Lion Air, Malindo Air and Batik Air.

He added that the airline is also getting financing from German commercial banks, without specifying the details.

Ex-Im Bank said in a statement the financing will support a portion of Lion Air's outstanding orders for B737-900ER aircraft, which includes 230 Boeing 737s ordered in November 2011.

It is the largest commercial aircraft order in aviation history.

"The authorisation is a final commitment of a preliminary offer of financing that the bank approved in 2011," the bank said.

Meanwhile, Malindo Air, which is starting its maiden flight to Kota Kinabalu on March 22 and to Kuching a day later, is expecting to break even by year-end, said Rusdi.

"We have operated B737-type aircraft in Indonesia for the last six years. We have the capability and inventory, in terms of spare parts and spare engines. So, for Malindo Air, the economies of scale are already there," he said after the signing of an agreement between Malindo Air and its new management staff yesterday.

Malindo Air is offering an all-inclusive fare of RM38 to Kuching and RM68 to Kota Kinabalu, with add-ons such as personal TV for in-flight entertainment and WiFi at a small cost.

Malindo Air chief executive officer Chandran Ramamurthy said the fares are inclusive of the passenger service charge or airport tax, fuel surcharge and administration fee.

He added that the promotional fares will last until October.

The new airline will have four flights daily to Kuching and three daily to Kota Kinabalu.

Ramamurthy said Malindo Air is aiming for an average load factor of 85 per cent to 90 per cent.