KUSKOP Launches Aid Mission and Restructuring Package for Fire Victims in Sandakan

29 April 2026

SANDAKAN: The Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP), together with its agencies, has launched an aid mission for victims affected by the recent fire in Perkampungan Atas Air Kampung Bahagia, Sandakan. This includes a business recovery plan such as financing moratoriums and restructuring of financial facilities provided through KUSKOP agencies to support affected entrepreneurs and cooperative members.

The Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, Steven Sim Chee Keong, announced a special support package through TEKUN Nasional, Bank Rakyat, and Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) to assist entrepreneurs with financing under these institutions, thereby easing the burden on victims facing destruction of premises, inventory, and loss of accommodation.

Among the measures, TEKUN Nasional is offering a moratorium of up to six months, rescheduling of financing, and permission to withdraw TEKUN account savings.

In addition, overlapping financing is provided as additional capital injection to help entrepreneurs restart their businesses.

Bank Rakyat, meanwhile, is providing special assistance in the form of monthly instalment moratoriums of up to six months for various financing products, including housing, vehicles, and personal loans.

This facility is open to eligible individual and business customers, including those who have previously received similar assistance.

Meanwhile, AIM is offering a six-month deferment of loan repayments. Through the Tabung Kesejahteraan dan Manfaat Sahabat (TKKS), AIM entrepreneurs whose businesses have been destroyed will receive cash assistance of up to a maximum of RM5,000.00, while entrepreneurs receiving hospital treatment will receive RM50.00 per day.

Steven Sim said this initiative is critical to ensure the continuity of entrepreneurs' businesses, especially in facing the challenges of the current global supply crisis, which is adding further pressure to operating costs and inventory availability.

KUSKOP advises affected entrepreneurs and cooperatives to promptly contact the nearest branch offices of the agencies for documentation purposes so that aid can be channelled as quickly as possible.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister of KUSKOP, YB Datuk Mohamad bin Alamin, visited the field today to meet and hand over 400 food baskets and basic necessities to victims who have lost their homes at the Temporary Evacuation Centre (PPS) PPR Batu Sapi and SK Kampung Gas.

Accompanying him on the visit were the Political Secretary to the Minister of KUSKOP, Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen, and the Chief Secretary of KUSKOP, YBhg. Dato’ Sri Khairul Dzaimee bin Daud.

In addition to basic aid, ten agencies under KUSKOP have channelled various forms of additional assistance, including school supplies, cash aid, clothing, zakat assistance through relevant agencies, and financial support for affected students.

The Malaysia Co-operative Commission (SKM) is acting as the main agency coordinating this corporate social responsibility (CSR) mission.