PETALING JAYA: Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) will allocate an additional RM5bil to the SME Stabilisation Relief Facility (SME SRF) to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) manage cash-flow pressures arising from the ongoing Middle East conflict.
“The additional allocation is expected to benefit around another 9,000 SMEs, including microenterprises, to have access to affordable working capital. This will help SMEs manage temporary cash-flow pressures, maintain operations, and strengthen business resilience amid the economic impact of the ongoing Middle East conflict,” the central bank said in a statement following the tabling of Budget 2027.
As of Sept 30, 2026, RM3.8bil in financing had been approved under the facility's initial RM5bil allocation, benefiting more than 6,800 SME accounts.
The SME SRF will remain available to affected SMEs across all economic sectors until June 30, 2027, or until the allocation is fully utilised, whichever comes first.
BNM said the implementation of CAKNA would also be strengthened to expand working capital financing for small contractors in grades G1 to G4 undertaking government projects.
The RM10 nominal stamp duty treatment for CAKNA I and II financing agreements will be extended until Dec 31, 2030, to reduce financing costs.
Separately, BNM said MediAsas, a voluntary medical and health insurance and takaful plan, would be rolled out to the public in January 2027.
Premiums or contributions paid for the plan will qualify for income tax relief, including coverage purchased for immediate family members.
The government will also allocate RM40mil for MediAsas vouchers for employees of SMEs with fewer than 75 workers.
Meanwhile, banks will begin offering basic credit cards (BCC) in phases from October 2026, with a maximum interest or profit rate of 14% per annum.
The cards will have a simplified structure without rewards or cashback programmes. It has a maximum interest or profit rate of 14% per annum.
Existing cardholders may switch to the basic credit cards and transfer eligible outstanding balances to reduce financing costs.
BNM governor Datuk Seri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour said Budget 2027 sought to strengthen economic resilience, raise incomes, improve healthcare affordability and support productive investment while maintaining fiscal discipline.
“The budget places greater emphasis on strengthening Malaysia’s economic resilience, raising incomes, improving healthcare affordability and supporting productive investment, while preserving fiscal discipline.
“Going forward, the key challenge will be to ensure that productivity, innovation and investment continue to strengthen alongside rising incomes so that growth remains sustainable and benefits are shared broadly,” he said.
