Moneylenders, pawnbrokers agree to 3-month moratorium

Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin says her ministry has received many inquiries from the public about the services of the credit community and pawnbrokers through its hotline during the MCO.

PUTRAJAYA: The Licensed Money Lenders Association as well as the pawnbrokers association have agreed to a three-month moratorium to ease the burden of borrowers, says Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin.

Licensed moneylenders registered with the ministry had agreed not to impose late charges throughout the movement control order (MCO) period, she said in a statement today.

She said the matter was agreed upon after discussions with the respective associations following the announcement of additional measures under the Prihatin Rakyat economic stimulus package on April 6.

In the announcement, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had called on licensed moneylenders registered under the Moneylenders Act 1951 that provide credit facilities to impose a six-month moratorium on loans for SMEs, beginning April 2020, similar to that provided by banks in the country.

“The credit community is also advised not to charge interest rates in excess of what is stipulated under the Moneylenders Act 1951 (Act 400), namely 12% for secured loans and 18% for unsecured loans during the MCO period,” he said.

Zuraida announced the matter after the daily press conference by Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Ismail Sabri Yaakob following the Special Ministerial Committee meeting on the MCO here.

Zuraida said the government had also agreed that the premises of credit companies and pawnbrokers be allowed to operate for two days a week.

She said the operating hours would be limited from 9am to 2pm to allow SMEs to carry out their transactions.

According to Zuraida, her ministry had received many inquiries from the public about the services of the credit community and pawnbrokers through its hotline during the MCO.

Zuraida said the companies would have to comply with all the directives and regulations under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342), including maintaining social distancing of at least one metre, wearing a three-ply face mask, and providing hand sanitisers to customers.

They should also regularly carry out disinfection of their premises, she said.

Members of the public and SMEs involved can obtain further information on the ministry’s services via its hotline at 03-8891 3975. - FMT