KUCHING: Affin Bank’s new regional headquarters here will have the authority to approve loans locally, streamlining the approval process.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg announced the move, saying that this will greatly accelerate financial processes for businesses.
“The bank will establish its regional headquarters in Kuching and they are given the mandate to approve loans up to a certain amount here, and will no longer have to wait (for approval) from Kuala Lumpur.
“This will expedite processes for the business community, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs) for you to roll out whatever activities that you want to do,” he said.
He said this during the Federation of Chinese Associations of Kuching, Samarahan, and Serian Divisions’ Chinese New Year dinner reception held here last night (Feb 12).
Abang Johari, who Is also the Finance and New Economy Minister, reflected on Sarawak’s achievement in securing a majority stake in Affin Bank.
“We have acquired a majority stake in Affin Bank. I think this is the first time a state in Malaysia took a majority stake in a commercial bank at 31.25 per cent,” he said.
Among those present were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Kuching Xing Weiping, Sarawak Federation of Chinese Associations, Kuching, Samarahan, and Serian Division president Datuk Richard Wee, and the dinner’s organising chairman Kapitan Datuk Lau Sie Lok.
