According to our survey conducted on customers who enrolled into AKPK’s programme, there are two factors that may cause financial problem or debt.
The first factor is unexpected financial impact (65%) such as high cost of living, loss of job or breadwinner, failure or slowdown of business or emergency medical expenses. Second factor is poor financial planning (35%); many customers admitted to having low awareness on the importance of financial planning, having no savings for financial emergencies, and financing their impulsive wants and lavish lifestyle using their limited income.
Individuals with financial problems show the following signs:
- tight cash flow,
- high dependency on credit card or more borrowings to cover expenses,
- arrears in debt repayment,
- starting to pay debt selectively or alternately,
- receiving calls or reminder letters from the bank or debt collector.
It is necessary to seek help early when faced with financial difficulties. Likewise, being prepared early to face any unexpected situation is very important financially as it can drastically change the life and lifestyle of an individual.
If you experience income loss or reduction, it will directly affect your cost of living, and subsequently change your way of living (lifestyle). The situation will become critical if you also have financial commitments such as housing loan, hire purchase, personal loan and credit card. Failure to pay these loans and outstanding credit will certainly put pressure on you as a borrower especially when banks start to initiate legal actions. You can lose your home or car, or even face bankruptcy.
Hence, seeking help early when faced with financial difficulties is the right thing to do. Some borrowers wait until the last minute to get help. If you have difficulty repaying your housing loan, do not come to AKPK for help only a few days before the auction date. You should come when you are already starting to experience reduction in cash flow which can affect your ability to pay your housing loan instalments. Seek help early!
As a subsidiary agency of Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), AKPK can help individuals and sole proprietors with debt burdens through a personalised debt repayment solution or plan in accordance to their cash flow through our Debt Management Programme (DMP). A similar programme by AKPK for SMEs is a scheme called Small Debt Resolution Scheme (SDRS). Assistance on SDRS applications is provided through a dedicated channel, i.e. AKPK SME Help Desk. In general, AKPK can assist in restructuring loans provided by banks or financial institutions under the purview of BNM, PTPTN, Tekun Nasional Berhad, and other participating cooperatives and credit providers.
- Debt Management Programme (DMP) for Individuals and Sole Proprietors
Debt Management Programme (DMP) is a holistic repayment plan that can help customers who are experiencing debt repayment difficulty due to insufficient cash flow or some other reasons in order to regain control of their finances.
AKPK will negotiate with the credit providers on behalf of borrowers to restructure their debts for lower monthly instalment payments and chargeable interest rates.
The type of loans or credit facilities that AKPK could help to restructure include:
- Credit card
- Personal loan
- Housing loan
- Status as guarantor
- Secured housing loan or hire purchase
- Loss after sale due to auction of properties such as housing or hire purchase
- PTPTN study loan
- Microcredit for individual or sole proprietor
- Small Debt Resolution Scheme (SDRS) for SMEs
SDRS is an avenue for SMEs and their banks to work out debt rehabilitation solutions amicably and collectively without resorting to legal recourse. Through AKPK’s financial advisory services, SMEs are guided to practise prudent financial management for business financial well-being in the long term.
The main feature of SDRS is:
- Reduced monthly loan instalments based on affordability
Therefore, if you are at a dead end in your debt repayment problem, the first step in resolving it is to discuss with your bank or credit provider. If that fails, come to AKPK; we will do our best to assist in finding a suitable solution for all parties — “Anda Buntu, AKPK Bantu!”
This new year, let us continue our effort to make prudent financial management as a way of life. It is always better to be safe than sorry. And, when problems begin to surface, get help early. If you are experiencing financial problem, tell someone closest to you. Do not keep it to yourself, or avoid the problem without resolving it. Contact AKPK directly and do not be duped by calls or offers by unauthorised third-party agents who claim to be AKPK officers but charge you for their services. AKPK Ipoh office (at Greentown Square) can be contacted at 05-242 8319, or call our hotline number at 03-2616 7766.
The Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency, commonly known as Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK), is an agency set up by Bank Negara Malaysia in April 2006 to help individuals take control of their financial situation and gain peace of mind that comes from the wise use of credit. We are committed to empowering the community ― households and SMEs ― to be financially resilient via customer-centric financial education, advisory and debt management services. All financial advisory and debt management services by AKPK are free, and no agents or third parties are appointed to represent AKPK in any way. To find out more about AKPK, please visit www.akpk.org.my.
AKPK in Brief (Boilerplates)
Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK), is an agency set up by Bank Negara Malaysia in 2006 to help individuals take control of their financial situation and gain peace of mind that comes from the wise use of credit.
With this mandate, AKPK provides Financial Education services to individuals and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through its POWER! Portal and Knowledge Centre are accessible through AKPK’s website for various online learning modules and materials. Financial management talks are also available for organisations.
AKPK also provides Financial Advisory services as well as Debt Management assistance through the Debt Management Programme (DMP) for individuals, and the Small Debt Resolution Scheme (SDRS) for MSMEs, which involve a mutually-agreed loan repayment plan between the borrowers and the financial institutions. Visit https://mybijakkewangan.akpk.org.my/ to book an appointment with AKPK’s Financial Advisor. Access to AKPK’s services and resources, including the POWER! Portal and Knowledge Centre, are available on AKPK’s website at www.akpk.org.my. Information and access to AKPK’s services, tips and learning materials are also available on its official social media platforms, i.e. @AKPKofficial.
All financial advisory and debt management services by AKPK are FREE and NO AGENTS OR THIRD PARTIES are appointed to represent AKPK in any way.
