KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim continued his engagement with micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) this afternoon, meeting representatives from the Chinese and Indian business communities following a similar session with Bumiputera entrepreneurs last week.
The discussions centred on the impact of the ongoing West Asian conflict, which has disrupted global energy markets and driven up operating costs for businesses.
The Prime Minister stressed that these dialogues are crucial to understanding the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and to shaping immediate support measures.
To ease financial pressures, the MADANI Government announced an increase of RM5 billion in guarantee allocation under the Business Financing Guarantee Company (SJPP).
Coverage will also be expanded to 80 percent, up from 70 percent previously. SJPP will collaborate with banks to facilitate loan restructuring, rescheduling, and targeted repayment assistance, ensuring businesses can maintain continuity despite external shocks.
In addition, the government has agreed to extend the transition period for Phase 4 e-Invoice implementation.
Businesses with annual sales between RM1 million and RM5 million will now have until 31 December 2027 to comply, with permission to issue consolidated e-invoices during the period without penalty. This measure is expected to ease compliance burdens for smaller enterprises.
For companies affected by export disruptions linked to the conflict, interim exemptions will be considered for import duties and sales tax on re-imported Malaysian-made goods that could not complete the export process.
This exemption will remain in place until 31 December 2026, providing relief to manufacturers facing logistical challenges.
Prime Minister Anwar acknowledged that the global energy crisis is likely to persist, warning that its effects will be felt for an extended period.
He emphasised that this is not a time for political manoeuvring but for collective action between government and the private sector.
“We cannot deny that this global energy crisis will be felt for a long time. This is not the time for politics or sheeple-baiting. This is the time for the government and the private sector to work together so that we can deal with the effects of this external shock for the benefit of the people,” he said.
The measures announced today reflect Malaysia’s broader strategy to safeguard economic resilience, protect jobs, and ensure that MSMEs remain competitive in a volatile global environment.
By prioritising financial support, easing regulatory transitions, and addressing supply chain disruptions, the government aims to strengthen the backbone of the economy during uncertain times.
