KUALA LUMPUR (May 11): RHB Bank Bhd (KL:RHBBANK) has entered into a strategic partnership with Syarikat Jaminan Pembiayaan Perniagaan Bhd (SJPP) to facilitate up to RM1 billion financing to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and mid-sized companies (MTCs) grappling with the global energy disruption.

The partnership represents a dedicated financing allocation earmarked for RHB under SJPP-administered government guarantee programmes, the bank said in a statement on Monday. In April 2026, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced an extra RM5 billion in guarantees under SJPP to help MSMEs affected by the global energy crisis and the West Asia conflict.

Through this partnership, RHB and SJPP aim to make it easier for SMEs to get financing. They will also offer help like restructuring loans, adjusting repayment plans, and improving cash flow so businesses can manage rising costs and stay operational in a tougher economy.

RHB is part of Bank Negara Malaysia’s SME Stabilisation Relief Facility (SRF), a RM5 billion fund that provides financing to help small and medium-sized businesses, including microenterprises, cope with the impact of the West Asia conflict.

"Through our partnership with SJPP and participation in SME SRF, we are committed to helping viable SMEs and MTCs access financing and navigate current challenges with greater resilience,” RHB managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Rashid Mohamad said in a statement.

RHB also said it will, together with the credit guarantee agency, organise roadshows across key regions including Klang Valley, Johor Bahru and Penang to raise awareness of available financing solutions and facilitate direct engagement with SMEs, connecting eligible businesses to relevant programmes.

RHB has been actively participating in SJPP’s various initiatives since 2009, facilitating financing solutions across various sectors. To date, the group has supported more than 12,000 SMEs, RHB noted.