Govt aid for SMEs: Can see, but cannot touch

A major part of Putrajaya's policies to keep businesses afloat during the prolonged pandemic has been a mix of loan repayment moratoriums, grants, loans, and wage subsidies.

Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz has repeatedly touted these measures as a major success. Yesterday, he said banks had approved RM12.12 billion in soft loans and RM1.215 billion in wage subsidies since the start of the pandemic.

However, several seasoned entrepreneurs, who are struggling to access these benefits, said...