Housing Credit Guarantee Scheme Allocation Up Rm10bil In 2025, Says Amir

Finance minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan said the government is aware of the financing challenges faced by those without fixed incomes in purchasing their first home.

PETALING JAYA: The allocation for the housing credit guarantee scheme under Syarikat Jaminan Kredit Perumahan Bhd (SJKP) will be increased by RM10 billion this year, benefitting more than 20,000 borrowers.

At the initiative’s launch in Kuala Lumpur today, finance minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan said the increase takes into account current economic trends, with more people working in the informal sector as gig workers.

Amir said the government is aware of the financing challenges faced by those without fixed incomes in purchasing their first home.

He also said that as part of Budget 2025, the government has allocated RM20 billion to Syarikat Jaminan Pembiayaan Perniagaan Bhd (SJPP) for small and medium enterprise financing.

“This allocation is expected to guarantee up to 80% of financing for SMEs, particularly for those in key sectors such as the halal sector, technology, environmental, social and corporate governance, and tourism,” Bernama quoted him as saying.

This year, SJPP will provide more comprehensive financial support in key sectors, including easier access to financing, support for innovation, promotion of sustainable practices, and enhancing Malaysia’s tourism appeal internationally.

He said this would drive sustainable economic growth, create job opportunities, and position Malaysia as a key hub for the halal and high-tech sectors.

“Additionally, RM5 billion out of the RM20 billion guarantee under SJPP will be allocated to Bumiputera companies to strengthen the Bumiputera business community, enhance product marketability and improve their competitiveness both domestically and globally.

“Empowering Bumiputera entrepreneurs remains a key focus to ensure greater economic participation and equitable wealth distribution, including initiatives for entrepreneurship development, improved access to financing and stronger Bumiputera presence in high-value industries,” he said.

Amir said the government is also expanding the halal ecosystem, encompassing the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and Islamic financing sectors.

“Investments in halal certification, research and trade collaborations will further enhance the country’s competitiveness in this trillion-ringgit industry,” he said.

He noted that since SJPP’s establishment in April 2009 up to December 2024, more than 75,000 SMEs have received financing guarantees totalling over RM102 billion.

“In 2024 alone, over 14,000 SMEs secured financing approvals worth RM18.5 billion,” he said.

Meanwhile, more than 76,000 applications have been approved under SJKP, with the total amount financed exceeding RM17.8 billion since its inception in late 2007 until December 2024.

“Last year, over 36,000 applications with total financing of RM9.7 billion were approved,” he said.