Budget 2027: PERDASAMA Proposes Coordinated Access To Help Bumiputera MSME
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 11 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Association of Malay Entrepreneurs and Traders (PERDASAMA) has proposed that the government establish a coordinated access mechanism to ensure Bumiputera micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) can benefit from the various allocations and initiatives under Budget 2027.
Its president, Mohd Azamanizam Baharon, said the mechanism, involving business associations, would clarify eligibility requirements, application channels and processing timelines, while improving monitoring and measuring impact based on approved financing, contracts secured, jobs created and business growth.
“After three previous budget cycles, why are Bumiputera entrepreneurs still facing difficulties accessing financing, contract opportunities and various facilities introduced specifically to empower their economic position?” he said in a statement.
He said some entrepreneurs faced lengthy application follow-ups, unclear feedback and uncertainty over application status, forcing some to seek alternative financing at higher costs or with greater risks.
Meanwhile, Mohd Azamanizam urged government-linked companies (GLCs) and government-linked investment companies (GLICs) to expand opportunities for capable Bumiputera companies to become main contractors rather than merely subcontractors, through transparent and fair selection processes.
“It is time for the Bumiputera vendor agenda to move from participation to building capacity, from subcontracting to project leadership, and from occasional opportunities to sustainable business growth,” he said.
He also urged the government to consider re-establishing a dedicated Bumiputera banking institution to complement the existing financial ecosystem, particularly to assist promising entrepreneurs facing constraints related to collateral, financial records, working capital or length of business operations.
PERDASAMA also stressed the importance of ministries, departments, financial institutions and about 80 agencies with Bumiputera development mandates taking a more proactive role in helping entrepreneurs access available facilities.
Among the Budget 2027 initiatives it welcomed were microfinancing facilities of up to RM6.6 billion, a target for GLCs and PETRONAS to procure up to RM58 billion from Bumiputera companies, and up to RM1 billion in funding through TERAJU.
Other measures included the Bumiputera Ciptawan Fund of up to RM250 million, a RM100 million strategic investment fund for the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing sectors, and matching grants for MSMEs seeking halal certification.
Mohd Azamanizam said PERDASAMA was ready to work with the government and implementing agencies to help entrepreneurs access these facilities and ensure their effectiveness could be measured through business growth.
-- BERNAMA