THE Government will sharply increase financing support for Bumiputera entrepreneurs through TEKUN Nasional, with the fund expanded to RM1 billion as the government steps up efforts to strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises amid mounting global economic uncertainty.
Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Steven Sim announced the increase during the TEKUN Nasional Appreciation Ceremony 2026 held at Bangi Avenue Convention Centre, saying the latest allocation reflected strong demand from entrepreneurs across the country.
The expanded financing facility marks a significant rise from the RM300 million allocation introduced when Sim first assumed leadership of the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, before being raised to RM500 million earlier this year.
According to the minister, TEKUN Nasional had approved approximately RM360 million in financing for nearly 20,000 entrepreneurs as of April this year.
“I want to announce that we will increase it from the previous RM300 million to RM500 million and today to RM1 billion.
“This increase is because we see there has been extremely encouraging response from entrepreneurs.
“This is also part of KUSKOP’s PowerUp 10K initiative to strengthen Malaysian businesses, and we want to channel more funding injections into Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs),” he told reporters after the event.
Sim said the larger allocation was crucial in helping local entrepreneurs navigate increasingly difficult geopolitical and geo-economic conditions, while also enabling businesses to expand operations and improve long-term resilience.
The funding expansion forms part of the government’s broader strategy to accelerate Bumiputera business development and reinforce the role of MSMEs as a key pillar of Malaysia’s economic growth. - May 12, 2026
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