AKPK is Malaysia's free credit counselling agency, set up by Bank Negara. Here's what they do, and the signs that it's time to give them a call.
AKPK in one paragraph
AKPK (Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit) was established by Bank Negara Malaysia to help individuals take control of their finances. Its three core services — financial education, one-to-one credit counselling and the Debt Management Programme (DMP) — are all free of charge.
What you actually get
Three services, all free:
| Service | What you get | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Financial education | Online modules and workshops on budgeting and debt | Free |
| Credit counselling | One-to-one session and a personal budget plan | Free |
| Debt Management Programme | Bank debts restructured into one affordable repayment plan | Free |
Signs it's time to reach out
Consider contacting AKPK if any of these sound familiar:
- Monthly debt repayments eat more than 40–50% of your income
- You're juggling several debts and losing track of due dates
- You're taking new loans to pay old ones
- You've started missing instalments or paying only minimums for months
What the Debt Management Programme covers
Under the DMP, AKPK negotiates with your banks to restructure repayments into one affordable plan — often with lower instalments over a longer period. It mainly covers facilities from banks and institutions under Bank Negara's purview; loans from moneylenders are generally outside the DMP, but the counselling itself is open to everyone.
Our view as a lender
A responsible loan should fit inside your budget from day one — that's why we publish our rates, show the full schedule upfront and check affordability before approving. If your finances feel out of control, talking to AKPK first is a smart move, not a shameful one.