KUCHING: The Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry will work with the National Council of Professors (MPN) in its effort to create a new business environment using facilities or assistance provided by the ministry. Its minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said he had discussed with MPN president Prof Datuk Dr Raduan Che Ros on Tuesday on the council working with ministry officials to come up with ways to develop entrepreneurs in the country."Previously when I was in the Ministry of Home Affairs, many of our legislations were referred to the MPN, and when I was in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, we received a lot of input from them too."This time, I will also seek the advice of MPN or any agency under this new ministry, to see if there is a need for us to create an economic advisory panel or thinktank for the ministry," he told a press conference Wednesday night upon arriving at Kuching International Airport from Kuala Lumpur.


Wan Junaidi addresses the press conference. — Photo by Chimon Upon 

The Santubong MP said he had also discussed how facilities such as SME Corp, SME Bank, and Bank Rakyat could help the people with financing as well as training. "I also requested the MPN to work with ministry officials as they also have years of experience in their respective agencies to develop entrepreneurs. I will nevertheless do my best to apply my knowledge to what is available," he said.He added with Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin emphasising on dynamic

economic development during the cabinet's first meeting earlier the same day, he hopes his ministry will help improve the lives of Malaysians. On his appointment as minister, Wan Junaidi said he did not expect the ministry to be placed under his leadership, but assured the people that he is more than capable due to his background in business administration."I have a background in entrepreneurial development, so in that sense it is not foreign to me," he said.