The 15 vendors who graduated from UEM Edgenta’s VDP.
HE grew up in a teacher’s household, where his father spent days on end shaping young minds. But the irony was, Ismail Abu Salib wasn’t exactly a star student. Lessons often escaped him, and he felt out of step with the academic world.
“I was not gifted academically,” recalls the 49-year-old, his expression softening.
Ismail says the VDP has enabled M.B. Hi-Tech Engineering to build its data portfolio, which helped tremendously in business pitches. —LOW BOON TAT/The StarWhile grades did not come easily, determination did. From a young age, Ismail learnt that hard work and persistence could open doors that talent alone could not.
He earned a diploma in Electrical and Electronics, began his career as a factory operator, and steadily worked his way up to become managing director of M.B. Hi-Tech Engineering — a company founded in 2004 by a group of professional engineers.
The firm has since built a strong reputation for delivering tailored engineering services across Instrumentation and Mechanical and Electrical (M&E) technologies, encompassing design, product support, and integrated solutions. Under Ismail’s leadership, the company has grown from a team of five to nearly 50 employees.
He shares that M.B. Hi-Tech Engineering began with a vision to uplift the social and economic standing of the Bumiputera community and to prove that the Bumiputera are capable of succeeding in high-impact industries.
Strategic initiatives have shaped the company’s growth, including becoming a vendor of UEM Edgenta Bhd (UEM Edgenta) in 2012 and joined its Vendor Development Programme (VDP) in 2023.
“Through the VDP, we have learnt a great deal about industry best practices, enhanced our operational capabilities, and strengthened our management and service quality.
“The programme has also helped the company secure larger projects, diversify into high-impact sectors like water infrastructure and disaster mitigation, and build a robust technical team.”
Ismail highlights that the VDP helped build their data portfolio.
“Before this, we didn’t have enough data because we came from an engineering background, not a business one. Now, everything is recorded — we can produce our business and sales charts, and that helps us compete more confidently,” says Ismail.
The company’s recent participation in the Saudi Build Expo 2025 in Riyadh exemplifies their global ambitions.
“This was an important step in strengthening local capacity, bringing in international technology, and ensuring that the Malay community continues to progress in modernising the economy.
“It is a responsibility and a trust to prove that Bumiputera companies can achieve excellence, compete professionally, and build a resilient business legacy.
Perseverance lives on
For Mubiplas Industries Sdn Bhd (Mubi) managing director Samaniah Musa, the VDP has bridges the company’s humble beginnings to a growing family legacy. As the second generation at the helm, she reflects on how the programme has reshaped the business and its vision.
“We started small as a trading company in 2002, focusing on plastic products. After four years, we officially began as a plastic manufacturer in 2006, focusing on film extrusion, injection moulding, and blow moulding, mainly for plastic packaging,” Samaniah recalls.
Mubi traces its origins to 2011, when it was first established as Mubiplas Trading Sdn Bhd by a group of entrepreneurs committed to quality, timely solutions, and integrity.
Samaniah says the VDP boosted Mubi’s credibility, helping the company gain new customers, broaden products, and improve operations. — LOW BOON TAT/The Star
The company began plastics manufacturing in July 2006, and later rebranded as Mubiplas Industries Sdn Bhd (Mubi), signaling a new phase of growth and innovation in the plastics sector.
In 2020, Mubi expanded operations and relocated its factory to Kemaman, Terengganu, continuing its commitment to innovation, quality, and environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles. Samaniah explains that joining the VDP in 2023 was a chance to grow and learn from an industry leader like UEM Edgenta.
“In the beginning, we just wanted to improve our processes and build our credibility. Along the way, we gained so much more guidance and the confidence to operate our business at a higher standard.”
The partnership has since bolstered Mubi’s credibility and industry recognition, allowing the company to secure new customers, expand product offerings, and strengthen operational capacity.
Through the VDP, says Samaniah, the company and its employees gained exposure to local and international exhibitions, participated in Artificial Intelligence training, and successfully established an active corporate social responsibility (CSR) committee.
“Our growth has allowed us to provide better training and career opportunities for our employees, while also giving back to the community through CSR activities like blood drives and beach cleanups.
“Being part of a Bumiputera empowerment programme is meaningful because it allows us to support local talent and give back to the community, even though we are just a small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
“It aligns with our long-term goal of sustainable growth while creating opportunities for the wider Bumiputera community,” says Samaniah.
Looking ahead, Mubi’s ambitions are global. “Through the VDP, we had the chance to set up a booth in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which gave us valuable international exposure.
“Experiences like this inspire us to expand regionally and eventually bring our products and services to a wider global market, while continuing to grow responsibly and sustainably.”
Propelling Bumiputra vendors
Anchored in Malaysia’s push for resilient and inclusive growth, the “Raise the Floor” initiative under the Government-linked Enterprises Activation and Reform Programme (GEAR-uP) empowers Bumiputera entrepreneurs through capacity-building and partnerships.
Building on this, UEM Group Bhd (UEM Group), the infrastructure arm of Khazanah Nasional Bhd, has advanced opportunities for Bumiputera vendors across all its subsidiaries.
At UEM Edgenta for example, nearly 56% of its procurement spend in 2025 was awarded to Bumiputera vendors. To date, UEM Edgenta has a total of 5,623 registered vendors of which more than 50% are Bumiputera companies.
UEM Group managing director and UEM Edgenta board member Datuk Amran Hafiz Affifudin says its more than awarding of contracts.
“To realise our aim of nurturing homegrown capabilities and building a resilient national supply chain, all of our subsidiaries, UEM Edgenta included, actively implements the VDP to build vendor capabilities and foster long-term growth.”
Since 2022, UEM Edgenta’s VDP has benefited 21 vendors across sectors from infrastructure to healthcare, offering training in project management, business acumen, contract management, consultations, assessments, and financing to support sustainable growth.
15 vendors from the first and second cohort graduated at UEM Edgenta’s VDP Graduation Day on Nov 11 at the UEM Edgenta Learning Centre, while six new vendors joined, continuing the programme’s cycle of development and partnership.
The 15 vendors who have completed the programme achieved an average revenue growth of 30% and secured RM1.68mil in grants for upgrades and certifications.
Aligned with the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK-13), the VDP advances Bumiputera and SME development, fostering equal access to opportunities and building a balanced, resilient, and future-ready national economy.
Shaiful says in addition to 30% revenue growth, participants also recorded a 23% rise in new businesses.Sharing his thoughts on the VDP, UEM Edgenta managing director and chief executive officer Shaiful Subhan says: “Our strong conviction that empowering local business owners is essential to creating an equitable, sustainable, and future-ready economy is reflected in the VDP.
“In addition to strengthening UEM Edgenta’s supply chain ecosystem, this project is in line with government goals to elevate Bumiputera businesses and Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) as strategic partners in Malaysia’s economic development.”
“The VDP’s outcomes have strengthened UEM Edgenta’s commitment to enhancing local vendor capabilities since its inception.
“In addition to 30% revenue growth, participants of the VDP, also recorded a 23% rise in new businesses obtained directly from UEM Edgenta,” he says.
Shaiful adds that these accomplishments show the VDP’s effectiveness in driving measurable growth, building resilience, and creating long-term value for vendors, while supporting the National Entrepreneurship Policy 2030 and ensuring Bumiputera vendors remain sustainable and competitive in a rapidly evolving business environment.
