Ganabatirau supports Guan Eng’s call to channel Chinese, Indian MSME loans through BSN
MEDIA STATEMENT
BY YB GANABATIRAU VERAMAN
DAP MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR KLANG
- Support for Lim Guan Eng’s Call: Channel Chinese and Indian MSME Loans Through BSN, Not Shariah‑Restricted Banks
I fully support the statement made by my fellow colleague, YB Lim Guan Eng (Penang, Bagan MP), regarding the unfair restrictions imposed on the RM100 million loan facility for Chinese‑owned MSMEs and the RM50 million SPUMI loan for Indian‑owned MSMEs.
It is illogical and discriminatory to require non‑Muslim businesses to be Syariah‑compliant in order to access loans that are specifically set aside for their communities. Many Chinese‑owned MSMEs in Klang and across Malaysia – such as coffee shops, pork‑based food businesses, traditional Chinese medicine shops, and entertainment outlets – cannot, and should not, be forced to alter their business models to qualify for financing. Likewise, Indian‑owned businesses, including those involved in non‑halal food services or other conventional trades, are effectively excluded under the current arrangement.
The government’s intention to assist all communities is commendable, but the execution must match the intention. Placing these two loan schemes under Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) – which offers both Islamic and conventional banking without mandatory Syariah compliance – is a simple, practical, and fair solution.
BSN’s network of 387 branches nationwide also far exceeds SME Bank (17 branches) and Bank Rakyat (148 branches). This wider reach, especially in Sabah and Sarawak and in semi‑urban areas within my constituency of Klang, will ensure that the loans truly benefit those who need them most.
I therefore urge the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives and the Ministry of Finance to immediately transfer the administration of the RM100 million Chinese‑owned MSME loan and the RM50 million Indian‑owned MSME (SPUMI) loan to Bank Simpanan Nasional. Fair access to financing should not depend on religious compliance when the target beneficiaries are predominantly non‑Muslim.
