Amir hamzah: The government is using a sound risk management approach by diversifying energy supply sources to ensure the country's energy supply is sufficient, said Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan. He said the government, through Petroliam Nasional Bhd and oil companies, remains committed to seeking new supply sources, including from South Africa and the United States, to ensure the continuity of economic activities is not affected.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, this strategy involves establishing new relationships, even if it means sourcing supplies from farther afield and potentially higher costs. However, the priority remains ensuring a sufficient domestic energy supply. Malaysia continues to rely heavily on Indonesian coal but is also expanding its supply sources to include the United States and Australia. This approach reduces dependency on a single source and enhances overall supply security. Amir Hamzah emphasized this during a press briefing after attending the 'Program Mikro Kredit Turun Padang.'
He explained that diversifying energy sources is a prudent risk management measure. In the event of a disruption in a supplier country, Malaysia would still have the option to increase supply from alternative sources. The Ministry of Finance (MOF) highlighted that the 'Program Mikro Kredit Turun Padang' is part of the MADANI Government's efforts to bolster the micro-entrepreneurship ecosystem.
The MOF stated that the programme provides a platform to engage with micro-entrepreneurs at the community level, understand the challenges they face, and disseminate information about various financing facilities, business assistance, and capacity development programmes offered by the government and related agencies. 'The programme is also capable of helping them increase their income, expand business operations, and build more sustainable and competitive businesses,' Amir Hamzah noted.
The implementing agencies involved in the programme include Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN), Agrobank, Bank Kerjasama Rakyat Malaysia Bhd, Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM), Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), TEKUN Nasional, Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK), and Majlis Amanah Rakyat.