KUCHING: RHB Banking Group (RHB) is extending its Flood Relief Assistance Programme to provide immediate and long-term financial support to customers in Sarawak and Sabah.
In a statement, the bank said the programme, available from now until the end of February 2025, aims to help individuals, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and micro-SMEs in Sarawak and Sabah recover from the disaster.
For individual customers in Sarawak and Sabah, RHB is offering financial relief to ease their burden during this challenging time.
“Eligible individual customers can apply for a payment deferment of up to six months (February to July 2025) for mortgages, Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB) Loan/Term Financing-i, Personal Loan/Financing-i, and Hire Purchase/-i facilities.
“In addition, the bank is offering free waivers on late payment charges and interest/management fees for affected credit cards/-i, up to RM500 (February to July 2025). It is also waiving replacement fees for ATM, debit cards/-i, and credit cards/-i,” it said.
Meanwhile, for SME customers in Sarawak and Sabah who are not currently part of a restructuring or rescheduling programme, the bank said that they may apply for payment relief of up to six months (February to July 2025) for various financing facilities, including Hire Purchase/-i, Term Loan/Financing-i, Overdraft/-i interest/profit, and Multi-Trade Line/-i bill payments.
“They may also apply for the Disaster Relief Facility (DRF), where micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) can access financing of up to RM700,000 at preferential rates to aid in business recovery,” it said.
To apply for the programme, individual customers can contact RHB’s Call Centre at 03-9206 8118 or visit their nearest branch for assistance.
“SME customers can engage their relationship managers for personalised support. For more information, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on RHB’s Flood Relief Assistance Programme at https://www.rhbgroup.com/-/media/pdf/flood-relief-assistance-2024-faq.pdf.”
With the extension of the programme, RHB Banking Group Community Banking Managing Director Jeffrey Ng expressed hope that RHB’s efforts would ease the financial burden on flood victims and support rebuilding efforts.
He also emphasised that the rising frequency of extreme weather events underscores the urgency of the sustainability agenda, particularly in addressing climate change.
“The flood situation in Sabah and Sarawak has severely impacted many lives and businesses, and RHB is committed to ensuring that our customers receive the financial support they need during this difficult time.
“We encourage all affected customers in both states to reach out to us to explore the available assistance,” he said.
Additionally, he said that beyond financial relief, RHB will also provide on-ground community assistance to flood victims.
“We also recognise the importance of rebuilding livelihoods. As part of our long-term commitment, we are exploring additional social impact initiatives to support affected communities in their recovery,” he said.
