KUANTAN, 25 OCTOBER – The 2026 series of field engagement programs led by YAB Dato’ Sri Diraja Haji Wan Rosdy bin Wan Ismail, Special Advisor to the National Council for Entrepreneur and MSME Development (MPUPK), concluded in the East Zone. This initiative, spearheaded by the MPUPK, has benefited nearly 1,000 entrepreneurs, as well as representatives from various associations and chambers of commerce across the states of Pahang, Kelantan, and Terengganu.
Mr. Rizal bin Dato’ Nainy, Chief Executive Officer of SME Corp. Malaysia and Head of the Permanent Secretariat for the Council of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MPUPK) stated: “The Government remains committed to supporting MSMEs, as reflected in the Budget 2027 presentation. A total of RM67.9 billion has been allocated for the development of MSMEs, including RM3.63 billion specifically for the development of Bumiputera MSMEs. This encompasses RM2.8 billion for financing and capacity-building programs, RM775 million for projects involving small-scale Bumiputera contractors, and RM40 million for the ‘10 Bumiputera Champions’ program. Furthermore, SME Corp. Malaysia has been allocated RM137 million to implement eight MSME development programs in the coming year.”
The field visit program by the Special Advisor to the MPUPK for the East Zone marks the third leg of a tour series – following visits to the North and South Zones in January and July – since the appointment of mandate to empower micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) nationwide, the Special Advisor serves as a liaison to strengthen collaboration between the Federal and State Governments, particularly regarding the development of MSMEs and Bumiputera entrepreneurs.
MSMEs Form the Backbone of National Economy
In his speech, YAB Dato’ Sri Diraja Haji Wan Rosdy expressed his enthusiasm regarding the encouraging response from participating MSMEs and entrepreneurs. According to him, this attendance and positive reception from various parties reflect a shared commitment to strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem at state and regional levels.
He added that the forum session with Bumiputera entrepreneurs, the program’s focus, serves as an excellent avenue for the Government to gauge the pulse of MSMEs. These enterprises form the backbone of the nation’s economy, comprising nearly 1.3 million business firms and accounting for 96% of all businesses in Malaysia. Beyond providing a space for entrepreneurs to directly voice the issues and challenges they face, the session also serves as a platform to clarify the role of the Bumiputera Entrepreneur Development Council (MPUPK) in coordination Government policies and assistance to ensure they reach entrepreneurs at the grassroots level. Furthermore, it highlights the various forms of support and Government initiatives to assist Bumiputera MSMEs.
This edition of the Special Advisor to MPUPK’s field engagement program was held simultaneously with the ‘Pahang 1st’ Aspiration Carnival, organized by the Pahang State Government, which took place from October 23 to 25, 2026, at the Youth and Sports Complex (KOMBES) in Kuantan, Pahang. During the closing ceremony of the carnival, YAB Dato’ Sri Diraja Haji Wan Rosdy presented mock cheques totaling RM305,000 to MSMEs. This amount included RM200,000 for two recipients under the SME Scaling Catalyst Fund Program, and RM105,000 for seven recipients under the Tunas Usahawan Belia Bumiputera Skala (TUBE-S) program.
Also present were YB Dato’ Amizar bin Abu Adam, Chairman of the Pahang State Committee for FELDA Affairs, Cooperatives, and Entrepreneurship; YB Dato’ Sri Nazri bin Abu Bakar, State Secretary of Pahang; and YBrs. Encik Rizal bin Dato’ Nainy, Chief Executive Officer of SME Corp. Malaysia.
