PETALING JAYA: Revitalising small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) requires more than just slogans – it needs clear, simplified and actionable support mechanisms, says MCA vice-president Datuk Lawrence Low.
Following the announcement of new measures aimed at boosting the country’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the tabling of Budget 2026 on Friday, Low noted that many initiatives in recent years, which have been branded as “innovative” or intended to revitalise SMEs, have largely remained at the announcement stage.
This has resulted in low disbursement rates and cumbersome approval processes.
While acknowledging the government’s commitment to reform – particularly in areas such as fiscal discipline, integrity in governance and innovation-driven growth – Low said the budget still exhibited certain structural shortcomings.
“The government’s move towards targeted subsidies is understandable, but we have heard from many micro-enterprises, hawkers and transport operators that they feel left out of the system.
“Rising costs of fuel, electricity and raw materials are eating into their margins. It is essential that the government make the subsidy mechanism and beneficiary lists publicly accessible to ensure that SMEs are not overlooked,” said Low, who is also MCA’s Economic and SME Affairs committee chairman.
