MARA Approves Over 20 Assistance Applications From PWD Entrepreneurs This Year – Rubiah

SIBU, Aug 15 (Bernama) -- More than 20 applications for assistance from entrepreneurs who are people with disabilities (PWD) across the country have been approved by Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) this year, involving an allocation of over RM500,000.

Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Rubiah Wang said the assistance includes grants and interest-free loans of up to RM50,000 per person, depending on business needs.

"In Sarawak, two disabled entrepreneurs have received this special funding, including Mohamad Hazemi Mat, 31, the owner of Duri Cendol here, who is also deaf, and another in Matang, Kuching," she said when met by reporters after a friendly visit to the Duri Cendol premises last night.

Rubiah said Mohamad Hazemi's business, which has been operating since December 2023, is now recording a monthly income exceeding RM35,000, in addition to employing seven deaf and mute disabled workers.

She emphasised that MARA is committed to helping the disabled become successful entrepreneurs through a comprehensive support ecosystem that includes training, grants, loans, monitoring, and business development programmes.

Rubiah said she had also proposed to MARA the establishment of a special fund to assist Bumiputera contractors in Sarawak involved in the high-tech and renewable energy (green energy) industries.

The funds, she said, is aimed at producing more Bumiputera entrepreneurs in the technology and green energy sectors, thereby opening up new business opportunities in Sarawak.

"I have asked MARA if they can help create such a funds so that we can produce more Bumiputera entrepreneurs in technology and renewable energy industries.

"We need to bring this proposal to MARA’s management and also to the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development  itself for a decision," she said.

Rubiah added that this year alone, MARA has spent over RM30 million to develop 250 entrepreneurs in Sarawak across various categories, including the NITA Fund for women entrepreneurs, which offers up to RM150,000.

-- BERNAMA