KUCHING, Jan 27: Sarawak is an important asset to Bank Rakyat given the various development efforts by the State government as well as the relocation of Indonesia’s new capital Nusantara to East Kalimantan which is expected to stimulate economic growth in the surrounding areas.
Bank Rakyat chief executive officer (CEO) Dato Syed Abdul Aziz Syed Hassan emphasised that since setting up its base in Sarawak in 1994, access to its banking facilities and services have been expanded throughout Sarawak including to rural and remote areas like Lundu, Serian, Sebuyau, and Betong, even until Limbang.
“As we enter 28 years of our operation in Sarawak, today there are 14 branches, four Rakyat Xcess with Ar-Rahnu Xchange facility, one Ar-Rahnu Xchange, one mobile bank, one Auto Financing Centre and one SME and Cooperative Business Centre.
“We are committed to providing services and to meet the needs of local communities in Sarawak including in rural and remotest areas,” he said at a press conference at a hotel here today.
The bank’s chief business banking officer Mohamad Shiblie Abg Sapuan was also present.
Among Bank Rakyat’s expanded rural facilities and services in Sarawak are ATMs in Simunjan, Tebedu, Kabong, Roban, Julau, Suai and Tatau as well as mobile banks in Nyalau, Tatau, Sebauh, Sungai Asap in Kapit and Balingian in Mukah.
Syed Hassan added that Bank Rakyat is also committed to assisting entrepreneurs operating micro and medium scale businesses to get back on their feet post-pandemic.
“Bank Rakyat is expected to approve RM100 million worth of funds through a strategic partnership with SEDC (Sarawak Economic Development Corporation) to finance startups and existing Bumiputera entrepreneurs to recover and grow their business.
“Apart from that, Bank Rakyat also partnered with the Sarawak government to assist entrepreneurs through packages under Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS) 2.0 and 5.0,” he said.
Bank Rakyat is expected to sign memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with SEDC and Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development to enhance the “Keluarga Usahawan” initiative, especially for Sarawak, tomorrow (Jan 28).
Minister for Entrepreneurs Development and Cooperative Tan Sri Noh Omar is also scheduled to launch Bank Rakyat Kota Sentosa branch tomorrow, while Minister in the Prime Minister Department (Parliament and Law) Dato Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar is expected to launch Rakyat Xcess and Ar-Rahnu Xchange Lundu on Saturday (Jan 29). — DayakDaily
