AKPK Debt Management Programme Malaysia: How to Restructure Your Debt 2026

What Is AKPK?

The Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) is an agency established by Bank Negara Malaysia in 2006 to help individuals take control of their finances. Its flagship service, the Debt Management Programme (DMP), helps Malaysians who are struggling with multiple debts to restructure their repayments into a single, manageable monthly plan.

If you're juggling credit card bills, personal loans, car loans, and housing loans — and finding it hard to keep up — AKPK may be able to help you avoid bankruptcy and get back on track.

Need a clear picture of your total debt? Use our Loan Calculator to calculate your total monthly commitments across all loans.

Who Is Eligible for the AKPK DMP?

Not everyone qualifies. You must meet these conditions:

• You are a Malaysian citizen or permanent resident
• You have at least two debts with different financial institutions regulated by Bank Negara Malaysia
• Your total debt across all facilities does not exceed RM5 million
• You have a stable source of income (employed or self-employed with consistent earnings)
• You are not already bankrupt or undergoing bankruptcy proceedings
• You are not currently under any other debt management arrangement with AKPK

If you meet all criteria, you can apply for the DMP and AKPK will negotiate with your banks on your behalf.

How the AKPK Debt Management Programme Works

The DMP is not a loan. AKPK does not lend you money. Instead, it acts as an intermediary between you and your creditors to:

1. Assess your financial situation — income, expenses, assets, total debt
2. Negotiate with banks — request lower interest rates, longer repayment tenures, or waiver of late fees
3. Consolidate payments — you make one monthly payment to AKPK, which distributes it to all your creditors
4. Provide ongoing financial counselling — budget planning and financial literacy education

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Self-Assessment

Before approaching AKPK, gather all your financial documents:

• Latest 3 months' payslips or income statements
• EPF statement (if employed)
• Bank statements (savings and current accounts)
• All loan and credit card statements
• List of monthly expenses (rent, utilities, groceries, transport)

Step 2: Book a Counselling Session

Walk into any AKPK branch nationwide or call their hotline at 03-2616 7766 to book an appointment. You can also register online at the AKPK website.

Step 3: One-on-One Counselling

A financial counsellor will review your income, expenses, and debts. They will calculate your debt-to-income ratio and determine whether the DMP is suitable for you.

Skip the manual math. Use our Salary Calculator to see your net disposable income after all statutory deductions.

Step 4: DMP Proposal

If you qualify, AKPK drafts a debt repayment proposal and sends it to all your creditor banks. The proposal typically requests:

• Reduced interest rates (sometimes as low as 0% on credit cards)
• Extended repayment periods (up to 10 years)
• Waiver of penalty charges and late fees

Step 5: Creditor Approval

Each bank reviews the proposal. If approved, you sign a restructured repayment agreement. Once all creditors consent, the DMP becomes active.

Step 6: Monthly Payments

You make a single monthly payment to AKPK. They handle distribution to each creditor. The typical DMP tenure ranges from 3 to 10 years, depending on your debt amount and repayment capacity.

What Types of Debt Can AKPK Help With?

What Happens After You Enter the DMP?

Benefits During DMP

• Banks stop collection calls and legal action
• Interest rates are typically frozen or significantly reduced
• Late payment penalties may be waived
• You avoid bankruptcy
• You receive ongoing financial coaching from AKPK

Consequences to Be Aware Of

• Your name may be flagged in CCRIS/CTOS during the DMP period, which can make it harder to get new credit
• Once you exit the DMP, your CCRIS record can be cleared within 12 months of full settlement
• You must stick to the agreed payment schedule — missed payments can result in the DMP being revoked
• You cannot take on new debt while in the programme

Check your credit health. Read our guide on CTOS & CCRIS Credit Score in Malaysia to understand how your record is affected.

AKPK vs Bankruptcy: What's the Difference?

The DMP is a far better outcome for most people, and it's worth trying before the situation escalates to bankruptcy.

AKPK Beyond the DMP: Free Services

Even if you don't qualify for the DMP, AKPK offers free services:

Financial Counselling

• One-on-one sessions to review your budget and debt
• No commitment — walk in and speak to a counsellor

Financial Education

• POWER! Programme — Managing your money wisely
• Free seminars and workshops on budgeting, investing, retirement planning
• Online learning modules at the AKPK Learning Portal

Corporate Counselling

• Employers can arrange financial wellness talks for their staff

Real Example: How the DMP Reduced a Malaysian's Debt Burden

Scenario:

• Ali (32, private sector employee, salary RM4,500/month)
• Debts: Credit Card A (RM12,000 @ 18% p.a.), Credit Card B (RM8,000 @ 15% p.a.), Personal Loan (RM20,000 @ 8% p.a.)
• Total monthly minimum repayments: ~RM1,600
• Net income after EPF/SOCSO/PCB: ~RM3,900
• Debt-to-income ratio: 41% (danger zone)

After AKPK DMP:

• Interest frozen on all credit cards (0%)
• Personal loan interest reduced to 4% p.a.
• Repayment period extended to 7 years
• New monthly payment: RM540/month
• Monthly savings: RM1,060 freed up for living expenses

Ali went from struggling each month to having a clear path to becoming debt-free in 7 years.

Run your own numbers. Use our Invoice Generator if you're freelancing and need to send professional invoices to increase your income, or use the Loan Calculator to model different repayment scenarios.

AKPK Branches in Malaysia

AKPK has branches in all major cities:

Check the AKPK website for full branch listings and operating hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for AKPK DMP if I'm self-employed? Yes, as long as you can demonstrate a consistent income (bank statements, invoices, tax returns). AKPK will assess your average monthly income over the past 6–12 months.

How long does the DMP application take? From the first counselling session to DMP activation, the process typically takes 4–8 weeks, depending on how quickly your creditors respond to the proposal.

Does AKPK charge fees? There is a one-time RM50 registration fee for the DMP. All counselling and education sessions are free.

Can I exit the DMP early if my finances improve? Yes. You can settle your outstanding balance early with no penalty. Once fully settled, AKPK will notify CCRIS and your credit record will improve within 12 months.

Will my employer be notified? No. AKPK does not inform your employer. Your participation in the DMP is confidential.

What if a bank rejects the DMP proposal? AKPK will try to renegotiate or suggest alternatives. If one creditor refuses, the DMP cannot proceed for that debt. However, most Malaysian banks routinely accept AKPK proposals — rejection is uncommon.

Can I include my spouse's debt in my DMP? No. The DMP is individual. Your spouse would need to apply separately. However, AKPK can do joint counselling sessions for couples.

When Should You Consider AKPK?

Don't wait until you're missing payments. Reach out to AKPK if:

• You're using credit cards to pay for daily essentials
• You're paying only the minimum payment on multiple cards
• Your total monthly debt payments exceed 40% of your net income
• Collection agencies are starting to call
• You're considering borrowing from one loan to pay another

The earlier you seek help, the more options AKPK has to assist you.

Take Control of Your Debt Today

AKPK has helped over one million Malaysians restructure their finances. If you're feeling overwhelmed by debt, you're not alone — and there is a structured, legal path to becoming debt-free.

Start by getting a clear picture of your finances:

• Use the Loan Calculator to list all your debts and see your total monthly commitment
• Use the Salary Calculator to see your exact net income after EPF, SOCSO, EIS, and PCB deductions
• Read our Personal Loan Guide Malaysia to understand how different loans work

Financial recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. AKPK gives you the structure and support to reach the finish line.