If your repayments to several banks are stacking up faster than your salary can cover them, AKPK — Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit — runs a Debt Management Programme (DMP) for exactly this situation. AKPK says all its services are free for individuals and SMEs. It does not lend you money.
This guide covers what AKPK does, how the DMP works, who can join, and what you give up while you are on it. What it says about AKPK comes from AKPK's own pages, read on 17 October 2026.
Last updated 17 October 2026 · money.com.my Editorial
What is AKPK?
AKPK (Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit), the Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency, describes itself as "an agency set up in April 2006 to help individuals take control of their financial situation". Its services are run by certified financial advisors. It provides three services: Financial Education, Financial Advisory, and the Debt Management Programme (DMP).
What AKPK does:
- Says its services are free for individuals and SMEs ("AKPK ensures that all its services are free for individuals and SMEs")
- Runs the Debt Management Programme (DMP) — "a customised programme, where our financial advisors will work with you to develop a personalised debt repayment plan in consultation and agreement with your financial service providers"
- Runs financial education, including the POWER! online learning portal
What AKPK is not:
- Not a lender — "AKPK does not provide nor assist customers obtain any credit facilities"
- Not a route to new credit — see "What do I give up during the DMP?" below
- Not a one-time bailout — AKPK lists "discipline in making payments as scheduled" among the determinants of a successful DMP
- Not something an agent can do for you — "AKPK does not appoint any agent or third party to submit/apply for DMP on the customer's behalf"
AKPK lists its branch offices and financial advisory offices at akpk.org.my/branches. Its financial advisory service runs at AKPK branches Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Kota Bharu and Kuala Terengganu: Sunday to Thursday), and AKPK is closed on public holidays. You can book an appointment through akpk.org.my.
How does the Debt Management Programme (DMP) work?
The DMP is AKPK's programme for people who are struggling to repay debts to participating financial service providers. AKPK lists these benefits of enrolling:
- Cash flow realignment
- A reasonable repayment term based on available cash flow
- A moratorium of legal proceedings
- No harassment from debt collectors
What the plan changes. AKPK's termination terms show what the plan puts on hold. If a DMP is terminated, the banks "have the right to resume legal actions against them to recover the unpaid amounts, claw back the interest rate, reinstitute the amount of interest previously charged, reimpose penalties, late payment charges, legal charges and all other costs waived by AKPK". In other words, AKPK's termination terms indicate that the plan's interest rate is reduced and that certain charges are waived, and that on termination the banks can claw them back. AKPK's pages do not give a rate, a percentage or a typical length.
How you pay. You pay your DMP instalment to AKPK, on or before the 5th day of the month, according to your payment schedule. Payment channels are e-Mandate (AKPK says new customers must register for e-Mandate when they enrol), the AKPK DM Portal through FPX, and Maybank channels. Paying through FPX is free of charge.
Which debts can go into the DMP?
AKPK's FAQ lists:
- Unsecured: credit cards, personal loans/financings, unsecured overdraft, term loan, micro credit, and shortfalls/loss after sale
- Secured: housing loans/home financings, and hire purchase/Islamic vehicle financing
Limits AKPK states:
- It can only restructure loans with the participating financial service providers. It cannot restructure "loans with a company or by licensed money lenders".
- Education loans: only PTPTN loans, and a PTPTN loan can be included only if you also have other credit facilities with participating providers. If PTPTN is your only loan, contact PTPTN directly.
- Personal loans repaid by salary deduction or ANGKASA can be restructured only for the institutions AKPK lists for each method.
AKPK's list of participating providers covers commercial banks, Islamic banks, development financial institutions, digital banks (AEON Bank and GX Bank), cooperatives, non-bank credit providers and insurance companies (AIA Berhad); see the full list in AKPK's FAQ.
Who qualifies for the DMP?
AKPK's enrolment criteria say you can register if you:
- Are an individual or a sole proprietor
- Have unsecured and/or secured loan or financing facilities
- Have total outstanding loan or financing obligations not exceeding RM5 million
- Have the facilities with participating financial service providers
- Are experiencing difficulties meeting your debt repayments
- Are not declared bankrupt
AKPK adds that individuals currently in advanced legal proceedings, such as a Creditors' Petition, may still be considered. The criteria set a ceiling of RM5 million but no minimum amount, and they do not mention nationality or an income test, so this guide does not state either.
Warning
AKPK cannot restructure loans from a company or from licensed money lenders; it works only with the participating financial service providers on its list. AKPK's pages do not cover unlicensed lenders (Ah Long), who are not on that list. Unlicensed lending is a matter for the police, not for credit counselling.
How do I apply for the DMP?
Step 1 — Register on the AKPK DM Portal Apply online at the AKPK DM Portal (customer.akpk.org.my): register, select "Individual" for DMP, click "Start A New Application", and complete the application form as guided. AKPK says its financial advisors deal with you face-to-face on the restructuring plan, and that it does not appoint any agent or third party to apply on your behalf.
Step 2 — Upload your documents AKPK asks for documents by category:
- Employed: latest 1-month salary slip
- Self-employed: statutory declaration, deposed before a Commissioner for Oaths, declaring your latest monthly income
- Retiree with pension: latest 1-month pension statement
- Retiree without pension, or unemployed: statutory declaration of your latest monthly income or financial support received
- If applicable: doctor's confirmation for critical illness, disability certification, a confirmation letter from the Social Welfare Department or SOCSO, the death certificate of a spouse or breadwinner, and medical bills
Documents must be in PDF, JPEG, GIF or TIFF format.
Step 3 — Wait for the decision AKPK's programme page says: "Application process within 7 working days." You can follow your status on the portal dashboard, and you receive an approval notification by email.
Step 4 — Review and acknowledge your plan Once approved, log in to the portal, review your payment schedule and DMP plan, and click "Acknowledge". AKPK says you must acknowledge within 3 days; if there is no response the plan is automatically acknowledged and marked Active.
Step 5 — Pay each month Pay AKPK on or before the 5th of every month, as above.
For help with the process, find AKPK's call centre number on akpk.org.my.
What happens to my credit record?
AKPK's pages do not describe how a DMP is recorded on a CCRIS or CTOS report. This guide therefore no longer states a status code, how long it stays on your report, or how lenders treat it. What AKPK does say is below.
CCRIS impact
AKPK says: "We encourage customers to regularly check their CCRIS report to ensure it matches their DMP payment history." It lists these ways to get your report: Bank Negara's eCCRIS online (a one-off RM1 transfer is part of first-time registration), a walk-in to an AKPK branch, or a credit reporting agency.
For how CCRIS works in general, see our CTOS & CCRIS Explained guide, and how to check your CCRIS report.
CTOS impact
AKPK's pages do not mention how the DMP appears on a CTOS report. AKPK lists CTOS Data Systems, Credit Bureau Malaysia and Experian as credit reporting agencies where you can get your credit report, so you can check your own record while you are on the plan.
After completing the DMP
AKPK's portal shows two end states: "COMPLETED: Your DMP tenure has ended. Please check with your credit provider for the status of your account", and "SETFULL: All facilities in your DMP have been fully settled and the plan is now closed." Once an account is fully settled, you submit the bank's release letter on the portal. For rebuilding your record afterwards, see our credit score improvement guide.
What do I give up during the DMP?
The DMP has real restrictions. In AKPK's words:
Your credit lines are withdrawn. "Customer's credit lines such as credit card and overdraft facilities will be withdrawn."
You may not obtain new credit. "Customer may not obtain new credit while remaining in DMP, and if customer do apply, it is subject to the credit provider's discretion." AKPK adds that it has no authority to stop you applying for new credit; the lender decides after its own assessment.
Payments must be on time, or the DMP ends. The DMP is "automatically terminated if customers fail to make monthly instalment payments for three (3) consecutive months". After termination you pay your providers directly, and they can resume recovery and legal action and claw back the interest rate and waived charges. Late payments can also bring extra charges from the banks. If you are struggling, AKPK says to contact it immediately.
Reinstatement has a deadline. AKPK's programme page says that after termination you must settle the total outstanding arrears within 90 days to reinstate the DMP; if you do not, you can reapply only after 1 year from the termination date. Its FAQ says you may request reinstatement within three months of termination provided your arrears do not exceed six months, subject to a stringent assessment.
Leaving early. You can withdraw from the DMP after completing at least 1 year in it. If you withdraw, the providers claw the facility back to its original terms. The DMP is also withdrawn if AKPK is notified of your bankruptcy or death.
DMP vs Bankruptcy vs Debt Consolidation Loan
AKPK's own debt-management page sets out an order of steps. After budgeting, cutting expenses and renegotiating with your lenders, it lists "Consolidate your debts by combining all your debts into one loan at a single interest rate" and "Opt for bankruptcy if needed—as a last resort". Its next line is: "If your lenders are unable to assist you, seek AKPK's assistance via our Debt Management Programme (DMP)". Only the DMP column below comes from AKPK's pages.
| Factor | DMP (AKPK) | Bankruptcy | Personal Loan Consolidation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where AKPK places it | Where your lenders are unable to assist | "As a last resort" | One of the steps to try first |
| Cost | No fee to enrol or for an advisory session | Not covered by AKPK's pages | Not covered by AKPK's pages |
| New credit | Credit lines withdrawn; new credit at the provider's discretion | Not covered by AKPK's pages | Not covered by AKPK's pages |
| Eligibility | Not declared bankrupt; total owed no more than RM5 million, with loans from participating providers | Not covered by AKPK's pages | Not covered by AKPK's pages |
Bankruptcy and consolidation-loan terms sit outside AKPK's pages, so this guide does not quote their durations, rates or credit effects. If you are weighing them, check them with the lender, or the Department of Insolvency, directly.
Which path fits your situation:
- DMP — you owe participating lenders, you are not bankrupt, and your lenders cannot restructure the debt themselves.
- Bankruptcy — AKPK calls it a last resort. A DMP is not available to someone already declared bankrupt.
- Debt consolidation loan — AKPK lists it as a step to try before the DMP. See our personal loan vs credit card guide for the maths on when this works.
When NOT to use DMP
The DMP is not always the right tool:
Your debt is manageable with budgeting alone. AKPK's own first steps are to stop incurring new debt, review your statements, budget, cut expenses and look for more income. The DMP withdraws your credit lines, so weigh that cost before you enrol.
Your lender can still help directly. AKPK's advice is to renegotiate the terms of your loans with your lenders first, and to turn to the DMP "if your lenders are unable to assist you".
Your debt is with a company, a licensed money lender or an unlicensed lender. AKPK can only restructure loans with its participating financial service providers. If you owe both, only the facilities with participating providers (and PTPTN loans under the rule above) can be enrolled.
You are already bankrupt, or you owe more than RM5 million. Both fall outside the enrolment criteria. The DMP is also withdrawn if AKPK is notified of your bankruptcy.
AKPK Contact Details
| Channel | Details |
|---|---|
| Call centre | Number listed on akpk.org.my |
| Website | akpk.org.my |
| DM Portal | customer.akpk.org.my |
| Head office | Address listed on the branches page |
| Branches | Listed at akpk.org.my/branches, with their opening hours |
| Financial advisory hours | Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Kota Bharu and Kuala Terengganu: Sunday to Thursday); closed on public holidays |
AKPK also runs financial education, including the POWER! online learning portal (power.akpk.org.my).
Related Guides
- CTOS & CCRIS Explained — How Malaysia's Credit System Works — understand what's in your credit report before and after DMP
- How to Improve Your Credit Score in Malaysia — the post-DMP recovery roadmap
- Personal Loan vs Credit Card — Which Costs Less? — when a consolidation loan makes more sense than DMP
money.com.my may earn a commission if you apply for a product through our links.
Amendment, 17 October 2026 (answer shape and fact-check). This guide was checked against AKPK's own pages (the Debt Management Programme page, its FAQ, its introduction and branches pages), read on 17 October 2026; see docs/verification-log/akpk-aeon-oct17/evidence.md. The short answer at the top, the "Last updated" line and question-form headings were added. These statements were removed or corrected because AKPK's pages do not support them: that AKPK is a wholly-owned subsidiary of, set up by, or funded by Bank Negara, and a "government-backed" service; "typical" tenures of 5 to 10 years; interest reduced "to 0%"; the RM45,000 worked example and its RM1,200 to RM1,500 payment; that you must be a Malaysian citizen or permanent resident and have an income; that licensed money lenders are covered (AKPK says they are not) and that there is "no maximum" debt (the criteria set RM5 million); that you need not be in arrears; the application route of a hotline booking, a counsellor session and a walk-in with no appointment, "2 to 4 weeks" for lenders, and the documents list (the application is online through the DM Portal, within 7 working days, with different documents); the "RP" status on CCRIS, "Special Attention Accounts", the CTOS Score effect and the 12-month roll-off; that new credit needs AKPK approval (AKPK says it has no authority to stop you applying); "some banks may flag you internally"; the bankruptcy and consolidation-loan figures in the comparison table; the email address, the Maju Junction Mall address, the 8:30am to 5:30pm hours and the Bank Negara 1-300-88-5465 line (none is on AKPK's pages). The corrected FAQs cover who can join, termination after three missed months and the withdrawal of credit lines.
Amendment, 30 October 2026 (phone numbers). AKPK call centre number and head office address removed. We have no saved copy of AKPK's own page for them; find both on akpk.org.my and its branches page.