Kuala lumpur: The National Entrepreneur and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Council (MPUPK) has agreed to establish a National Anti-Corruption Strategy specifically targeting small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced the initiative, emphasizing its goal to raise awareness among micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) about ethical business practices and integrity.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the programme's implementation will be meticulously overseen by a Special Task Force, led by the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP). This task force will ensure that the strategy's deployment delivers maximum benefits to MSME entrepreneurs. The initiative, called the SME National Anti-Corruption Strategy, is part of efforts to support the National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2024-2028.
The strategy's action plan is spearheaded by KUSKOP and SME Corporation Malaysia, in collaboration with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), and receives technical backing from the National Governance, Integrity, and Anti-Corruption Centre (GIACC). Ahmad Zahid highlighted the meeting's agreement to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology as a pivotal platform for enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of anti-corruption programmes.
In addition to the anti-corruption strategy, the meeting also reviewed the Entrepreneurship Financing Scheme and Guidance Programme Paper for 2025. It was disclosed that a total of RM7.96 billion in financing had been allocated to 282,489 entrepreneurs and cooperatives nationwide by the end of September. Furthermore, 121,599 cooperative entrepreneurs and members have benefited from entrepreneurship guidance through various initiatives led by KUSKOP.
This year alone, 345 MSME entrepreneurship and development programmes have been conducted, with a budget of RM30.31 billion allocated through the SME Integrated Plan of Action Reporting, reaching 609,000 beneficiaries. The Securities Commission also reported that 15 of the 36 initiatives under the Roadmap to Speed Up Access for MSMEs and Mid-Capital Companies to the Capital Market (2024-2028) have surpassed the average annual target, achieving a 42 per cent implementation rate.
Ahmad Zahid emphasized the need to enhance efforts to empower entrepreneurs, noting that 71 per cent of the 1.089 million Malaysians engaged in entrepreneurship are micro entrepreneurs. He stressed the importance of facilitating the transition from micro to small and from small to medium enterprises to boost their contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and export value. MSMEs, he stated, have already contributed RM636 billion in export volume, a figure that could rise further.
Moreover, Ahmad Zahid, who also chairs the National Halal Council, intends to address the challenges entrepreneurs face in obtaining halal certification. He plans to discuss this issue at the council meeting to streamline the certification process, ensuring it remains accessible rather than burdensome.
Earlier, at the meeting, Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail was appointed as the MPUPK Special Advisor. In this role, he will serve as a conduit between MPUPK and state government executive councillors, focusing on fostering entrepreneurial development at both national and state levels.