MALAYSIA: THE Federal Government will come out with "emergency measures" to assist small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) to pull through the global financial and economic crisis.

Nanyang Siang Pau quoted Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Kong Cho Ha as saying that such measures were vital in ensuring SMEs did not fold up or down size due to global economic turbulence.

He, however, did not reveal what measures were to be taken.

Kong added that the Government placed emphasis on the survival of business entities, especially the SMEs.

He said it was vital for SMEs to continue to operate, failing which the unemployment rate would surge.

In an exclusive interview with the daily, Kong said the current economic situation in the country was still regarded as stable.

He also said the bilateral trade volume between Malaysia and the United States had dwindled from 2.5% to 1.2%.

Malaysia, Kong added, had no plans to revise the current economic growth rate figures of between 5.5% and 5.7%.

Kong said the economic growth of 6.3% recorded in the first-half of the year showed that the country "is not doing badly".

Sin Chew Daily quoted MCA vice-president Datuk Donald Lim as saying the party would only be "valid for 30 years" if it did not opt for a change.

He said MCA must open up gradually, adding that the move was vital as a dual coalition party system was shaping up in the country.

He said MCA would become a minor party should Umno open up and attract support from the Chinese.