Story by Amanda Khong
THE handing over cheque ceremony for the “Projek Titian Saksama Rakyat (PTSR)” took place on Feb 4 at Penang Development Cooperation (PDC).
Deputy Chief Minister 1 Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon was the guest of honour to present the cheques to the 29 recipients who were present.
Also present at the event was PDC general manager Datuk Rosli Jaafar and PDC chief finance officer Phan Gaik Cher.
“I was told that our recipients for the PTSR loans have various businesses ranging from retail to services. I look forward to seeing all of them making the best out of this loan and being successful in their respective business,” said Rashid.
The objective of this fund is to create a simple yet burden-free funding system for small businesses and entrepreneurs in Penang.
Ever since PTSR was created, the state government and PDC have allocated RM11 million for this programme.
As of Feb 4, a total of RM9.48 million has been distributed to the 2,149 loan recipients from all the districts in Penang.
A single mother of four, Rosnani Hamid, 48, who runs a stall in Northern Seberang Perai selling various types of biscuits and “kuih bahulu” is a third-time recipient of the PTSR programme.
She received RM3,000 in 2014, RM8,000 in 2015 and this year she received the maximum amount of RM10,000.
“I first found out about this programme when I went for courses and I decided to try my luck. I really like this programme because of its weekly repayment system. It really is an efficient and burden-free system even with the second and third year percentage charge that was incurred,” said Rosnani.