Shafie: Flood victims can defer payments for SPED loans

Monthly repayments for loans under the Rural Economy Financing Scheme (SPED) for borrowers affected by the floods may be deferred, said Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.

Mohd Shafie, who is also UMNO vice-president, said the deferment of the loan repayment would be effective for six months from Jan 1 to June next year.

"This shows our sympathy and concern for all the flood victims besides easing their burden," he said when winding up the debate at the UMNO General Assembly 2013, here today.

SPED was first implemented in 2001 and until now, approvals had been given to 3,344 companies through an allocation amounting to about RM332 million with loans of between RM20,000 and RM500,000 each.

In addition, Mohd Shafie said transformation on the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) must be carried out in efforts to empower leadership at the village level which formed the grassroot members of the party.

Mohd Shafie, who is also the Member of Parliament for Semporna, said the transformations on the JKKK included ensuring 30 per cent of its membership comprising youths besides involving the women too.

"Insya-Allah, I will inform all the state governments, existing Menteris Besar and Chief Ministers how we can empower the JKKK leadership," he said.

In addition, Mohd Shafie who retained his post as UMNO vice-president in the last party election in October, reminded all Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders never to neglect the rural areas and the villagers.

He said these leaders should not be complacent, instead they must realise that the villagers or kampung community had enabled them to retain their position in the 13th general election in May.

"Although we had won in the urban centres, the majority was small 1,000...500...200. But in the villages, we received large majorities of 20,000...15,000 and they (the kampungs) are actually our strongholds," he said.

In further strengthening UMNO, Mohd Shafie suggested that the Key Performance Indicators (KPI) be introduced in the meetings at the divisional and branch meetings by stressing on the registration of members.