A total of RM435,000 in business grants will be awarded to 29 Asnaf entrepreneurs registered under the Majlis Agama Islam Melaka (MAIM) through the Tunas Perintis Usahawan programme. This initiative is a strategic collaboration between SME Corp Malaysia, an agency under the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP), and MAIM.
Inspired by the successful Tunas Usahawan Belia Bumiputera (TUBE) programme, the Tunas Perintis Usahawan programme aims to elevate the standard of living of Asnaf entrepreneurs by equipping them with innovative entrepreneurial skills. The programme focuses on building resilience and entrepreneurial identity, empowering participants to transition from zakat recipients to zakat contributors.
Rizal bin Datuk Nainy, Chief Executive Officer of SME Corp. Malaysia (third from right) and Mr. Shaifulfazlee bin Mohamad, Secretary of the Melaka Islamic Religious Council – MAIM (fourth from left), with some of the successful Asnaf Entrepreneurs who completed the training under the Tunas Perintis Usahawan Programme.
To date, the TUBE programme has trained 8,543 youths with business grants totalling RM125.84 million, successfully developing young entrepreneurs.
SME Corp Malaysia’s Chief Executive Officer, Rizal bin Datuk Nainy, announced that participants who successfully present their business plans will be eligible for business startup grants of up to RM15,000 each. He added that all participants are required to regularly report on their business status to ensure continuous monitoring and improvement.
The programme is a continuation of SME Corp Malaysia’s earlier efforts in collaboration with Majlis Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan (MAIWP) and Majlis Agama Islam Negeri Pulau Pinang (MAINPP), which trained 134 Asnaf entrepreneurs under the Tunas Usahawan Baitulmal (TUB) and Tunas Usahawan Zakat Pulau Pinang (TUZPP) programmes, generating sales worth RM4.53 million and RM1.6 million respectively.
At the closing ceremony, Rizal also presented grant cheques, participation certificates, and awards for Best Business Plan and Best Participant.
