By Doreen Ling
KUCHING, Feb 18: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has urged Affin Bank to expedite the establishment of its regional office in the State so that more businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), can benefit from its financial facilities.
Abang Johari said this is so that they can directly speed up the approval of loans up to a certain amount without having to wait for approval from Kuala Lumpur.
“Affin Bank’s manager in Sarawak must have the authority to approve loans at a certain amount and not wait for KL.
“We (Sarawak government) hold the majority (stake) in the bank. I hope Affin Bank’s management will look into this,” he said.
He said this during Affin Bank’s Chinese New Year gathering at a hotel here last night (Feb 17).
On Feb 13, Abang Johari announced that Affin Bank will now have the authority to approve loans up to a certain amount directly from Kuching, expediting the process for businesses in the State.
He highlighted that the Sarawak government has acquired a 31.25 per cent majority stake in Affin Bank, marking the first time a Malaysian state has taken such a significant stake in a commercial bank.
Meanwhile, the Premier also urged Affin Bank Group to provide financing for people who want to own a second home in Sarawak.
For example, he said, potential home buyers may be from Indonesia as they may have children studying at universities in the State.
“Maybe they want to have a second home here; you (Affin) finance lah so that developers will also benefit,” he said.
Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Affin Bank Berhad chairman Dato’ Agil Natt, and Affin Bank Berhad group chief executive officer Datuk Wan Razly Abdullah Wan Ali were among those present. — DayakDaily
