KUALA LUMPUR: Registration for new Prihatin Special Grant (GKP) 4.0 applications is open online from now until July 31, says Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.

       “With this new registration process, some of the micro small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that did not get the approval previously and have not received the GKP will still have an opportunity to submit applications for verification again.

       “Micro SMEs that are eligible for GKP 4.0 are businesses that fulfil the micro SME criteria and are also registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia, local authorities or Inland Revenue Board as at June 30, 2021,” he said in a statement yesterday.

       Tengku Zafrul said payments under the RM1bil GKP 4.0 allocation would be made in September (RM500) and November (RM500) this year for both current GKP recipients and approved new applicants.

       Current GKP recipients do not have to reapply.

       “Overall, a total allocation of RM6.1bil has been or will be channelled under GKP to almost one million micro SMEs since the Covid-19 pandemic began.

       “The government is hopeful that the continuous direct assistance channelled to micro SMEs would ease their burden, especially for businesses that are still not allowed to operate,” he added. — Bernama