PENANG, October 3, 2026 — Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong today announced BERKAT Deepavali, a special RM30 million financing scheme to help Indian entrepreneurs prepare their businesses ahead of Deepavali, which falls on Nov 8 this year.
The scheme, to be implemented through TEKUN Nasional, an agency under the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP), offers financing of up to RM30,000 at a profit rate of three per cent per annum, with a financing tenure of up to 12 months.
Speaking at the 2026 MADANI Kita Programme at the Penang state level, Sim said the facility was particularly important for small traders who require short-term capital to increase their stock and make preparations ahead of the festive season.
“Deepavali is one of the most important sales periods for many Indian traders. If they need capital to increase their stock, we want the financing to reach them when they need it most.
“For small traders, time is crucial. That is why, apart from providing RM30 million in funds, we also want to ensure that the financing process is faster,” he said.
The financing can be used as additional working capital, particularly by small traders and hawkers in the food and beverage, clothing, as well as equipment and supplies sectors in preparation for Deepavali.
BERKAT Deepavali is open for applications from Oct 3 to Nov 8, 2026. Applications can be submitted through the TEKUN Online Application System or at TEKUN branches nationwide.
The scheme is open to Malaysian citizens from the Indian community aged between 18 and 65. Existing TEKUN entrepreneurs are also eligible to apply, provided their total financing received does not exceed RM100,000.
TEKUN Nasional Chief Executive Officer Mohamad Shiblie Abg Sapuan said TEKUN would focus on ensuring a simple and fast application process so entrepreneurs could access the financing when it was most needed.
“Our aim is to ensure that eligible entrepreneurs do not miss business opportunities due to a lack of working capital. The TEKUN team will assist in ensuring that the application process runs smoothly,” he said.
Previously, under the BARAKAT scheme introduced for Hari Raya Aidilfitri from February to March, TEKUN Nasional disbursed RM35 million to 5,590 entrepreneurs, exceeding the initial allocation of RM30 million.
Hebatkan Perniagaan Malaysia!
MINISTRY OF ENTREPRENEUR DEVELOPMENT AND COOPERATIVES
3 OCTOBER 2026
-Minutesmy
