KUCHING: A hotline—ADU@MEDAC— has been set up by the federal Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry (Medac) to assist entrepreneurs suffering from mental and emotional distress due to the prolonged lockdown.
The 1-300-88-1020 hotline operates from 9am to 9pm, and those who call for advice on business and financial- related matters will be passed to the respective agencies under Medac.
Those with mental-related issues will be directed to respective agencies dealing with psycho-social issues such as Talian Kasih and the Covid-19 Psychosocial Support Helpline.
Medac will also be working closely with the National Population and Family Development Board, an agency under the federal Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, as well as Health Ministry.
Medac minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the hotline was a crucial support service to address mental health issues, fast becoming one of the biggest problems faced by entrepreneurs currently.
“Many entrepreneurs are unable to operate their business for almost a year and many are now facing financial hardship,” Wan Junaidi said on Monday (July 19).
He said such uncertainties had taken a toll on the mental and emotional state of these business operators.
“At Medac, we are very concerned about their wellbeing. This is why we came up with ADU@MEDAC.”
