Gobind: MSME Digital Grant Payment Delays Set to Be Cleared by End-April
PUTRAJAYA, April 24 — Payment delays affecting the MSME Digital Grant Madani programme are expected to be cleared by the end of April, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said.
He noted that the matter had been escalated to the National Economic Action Council, chaired by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, to ensure swift resolution.
Disbursement Issues Identified as Key Cause
Gobind explained that the delays were linked to challenges in the fund disbursement process, which had earlier been raised by Bank Simpanan Nasional with the Ministry of Finance.
The ministry has since pledged to take corrective steps to streamline the process and speed up payments.
Ongoing Efforts to Resolve Backlog
He added that measures are already in place to address the issue and that progress will be closely monitored to ensure the delays are resolved within the targeted timeline.
Gobind made the remarks after launching the Microsoft Elevate initiative in Putrajaya.
Prolonged Delays Raise Concerns Among SMEs
Industry representatives previously reported that more than 70 per cent of claims had remained unpaid for over six months.
This significantly exceeded the earlier processing timeframe of one to two weeks, placing pressure on small and medium enterprises relying on the support.
Grant Aims to Boost Digital Adoption
The MSME Digital Grant Madani offers matching funding of up to 50 per cent, capped at RM5,000, to help SMEs adopt digital tools.
These include e-invoicing systems, point-of-sale solutions and digital marketing platforms, with applications managed through Bank Simpanan Nasional.
Government Moves to Restore Confidence
Authorities remain confident that ongoing efforts will accelerate disbursements, ensuring businesses receive the necessary support to advance their digital transformation plans.
-wilayah.com.my
