KKDW Evaluates Support For Entrepreneurs To Open Physiotherapy Clinics In Rural Areas

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 4 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) will evaluate proposals for specific support for professional entrepreneurs who want to open physiotherapy clinics in rural areas, said its deputy minister, Datuk Rubiah Wang.

She said physiotherapy is a new proposal that has the potential to be supported through the Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) programme, in addition to being an existing scheme for the medical, dental and pharmaceutical sectors.

"MARA has special programmes for professional entrepreneurs, including the medical, such as UNI Clinics, dental and pharmaceutical sectors, and physiotherapy is a new proposal that can be supported.

"This programme also provides sponsorship or loans for doctors who wish to open clinics in urban and rural areas, as well as for several other professional sectors,” she said during the oral question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Rubiah was replying to a supplementary question from Bakri Jamaluddin (PN-Tangga Batu) on whether the ministry would create a payment or grant scheme for the setting up of physiotherapy clinics in rural areas for the vulnerable or B40 groups.

Rubiah said the KKDW would also provide specific support to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates interested in the field of entrepreneurship.

She added that TVET institutions under the ministry had made entrepreneurship the core of their studies, including techno-entrepreneurship diplomas, with 442 graduates and student sales from 2016 to 2025 reaching RM120 million.

She explained that the assistance encompasses MARA's financing scheme, business premises facilities, incubation space, training and guidance service to assist TVET graduates start and develop their businesses.

Rubiah said the KKDW had been carrying out the Start Right Programme (PSR) since 2021 as a catalyst for youths, including TVET graduates, to venture into the field of technical entrepreneurship.

"This programme provides entrepreneurship training, equipment set, starting capital worth RM20,000, guidance and monitoring for 24 months to ensure new entrepreneurs can generate sustainable sales revenue,” she said.

-- BERNAMA