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Daily Express
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Sabah and Sarawak should welcome digital nomads
Published on: Thursday, June 05, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jun 05, 2025 By: David Thien Text Size: Isaac hoped the Sabah and Sarawak governments would be more welcoming to digital nomads to live and work in their states. Kota Kinabalu: Sabah can be a great choice for foreign and Malaysian digital nomads if electricity and internet connectivity issues are fully resolved. Isaac Leong knows because he was the marketing head of Eveready Battery who used to visit Sabah many years ago to sell his products in blackout prone Sabah. He was surprised to learn that the situation persists until today. Now with Ingenix Consulting, he said this to participants of the Penampang Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PCCCI) seminar to Empower Local Businesses recently. Ironically, the organiser cautioned participants that if too many of them charged their mobile devices at the electric sockets provided at the premises, the power line could be tripped. Subscribe or LOG IN to access this article. Support Independant Journalism Subscribe to Daily Express Malaysia Access to DE E-Paper Access to DE E-Paper Exclusive News Exclusive News Invites to special events Invites to special events Giveaways & Rewards 1-Year Most Popular (Income Tax Deductible) Explore Plans Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
03-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Sabah SMEs get tips on acquiring grants
Published on: Saturday, May 03, 2025 Published on: Sat, May 03, 2025 By: David Thien Text Size: Isaac speaking at the seminar. DONGGONGON: Many Sabah SMEs miss out on loan funding to support local businesses due to lack of awareness or unprepared applications, a Grant Application & Fund Raising seminar was told. Speaker Isaac Leong of Ingenix Consulting taught the participants how to apply for the available grants that are not restricted to Bumiputras, and understand how to make the grant committee like their application or pitching proposals. He said it is important for potential grant applicants to even 'stalk' the websites or the official Facebook page of the relevant government agencies for the latest information on availability of grants and incentives. 'Do not use brokers or middlemen They will take 20 per cent of the grant approved, or up to RM20,000. Do it yourselves. Preparation is the key,' he said, A grant is financial aid given where the receiver need not pay back, unlike a loan. It is about using other people's money to grow your business or known as smart money. Leong advised participants how to get ready to apply for grants, how to package their business stories to be presented professionally, making their businesses stand out from others with impressive business viability, able to solve problems and provide solutions. 'Get your business plan right. It is the essence of your business, whether it can attract investors or not. There must be an impressive 'WoW' factor in your business plan's viability, which should make a positive impact in the business world,' Leong said, adding that ideas are worth nothing until someone pays for it. Speaking from his own experience, Leong said he managed to secure RM3.8 million grants within three years for his enterprises. There are facilities provided by CGC, SJPP Guarantee schemes, MDV, MDEC, Cradle, Khazanah Nasional, Malaysian Business Angel Network to SME Corp to venture capitalists besides crowd funding and etc. He noted that Tan Sri Bernard Dompok is now SME Corp chairman, which should be an advantage for eligible Sabah enterprises. 'CGC works through banks to provide guarantee for a fee for those businesses that do not have collateral to qualify for a loan.' He quipped that banks tend to lend to parties that do not urgently need loans. He opined one of the best businesses to be in today is the Ah Long or money lending business. He said banks are licensed Ah Longs who keep pushing credit cards to the public. If they don't pay, these banks are licensed to charge high 18 per cent compounding interest rates. Leong told that although he is not a Malay Muslim Bumiputera, he managed secure grants. He urged non-Bumiputras to clear away the mental roadblock, and take away the stigma that they would be discriminated against in their application for grants. 'As long as you are a Malaysia blue IC holder, you or your enterprise, partnership firm or Sdn Bhd company may apply for available grants if the qualifying criteria are met,' he said, adding his success did not involve name dropping connections, golfing, entertaining, or wining and dining activities. He revealed that common reasons as to why grant applications were not successful besides the business model, include applicants not fulfilling minimum criteria, the business presentation and idea lacking clarity, and not meeting the grant objectives. Leong guided participants using their laptops to learn how to get RM150,000 CIP Spark government grant during the seminar, which was organised by the Penampang Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PCCCI). * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
