Penang: The Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP) has submitted proposals to the Ministry of Finance (MOF) for Budget 2027 to provide more resources for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), as well as improve the efficiency of government service delivery. Its Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong said KUSKOP aimed to achieve three main objectives through Budget 2027, namely providing more resources for MSMEs, reducing bureaucracy, and improving the efficiency of government service delivery, as well as reducing the cost of doing business in Malaysia.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the proposals submitted to MOF were not put forward solely by KUSKOP officials, but also took into account the views and suggestions of various stakeholders in the MSME sector to ensure that the proposals covered all parties. Sim emphasized that the three main thrusts of the proposals are more resources for MSMEs, greater efficiency in government service delivery, and reducing the cost of doing business in Malaysia. These are the key objectives KUSKOP wants to achieve through Budget 2027.

Sim, who is also Penang DAP chairman, made these remarks after visiting the Bernama Penang Bureau with state DAP leaders to distribute mooncakes for the Mooncake Festival. Additionally, Sim, who is the Bukit Mertajam Member of Parliament, mentioned that KUSKOP had held meetings with various associations and organisations representing MSME interests, including Malay, Chinese, and Indian chambers of commerce, as well as the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM).

He stated that views were also sought from the SME Association, Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Malaysia (SAMENTA), MSME Malaysia, and the Federation of Malaysian Business Associations (FMBA), in addition to various non-governmental organisations (NGOs) related to MSMEs. Sim noted that KUSKOP had engaged with many NGO representatives, key industry players, and stakeholders, incorporating their suggestions into the Budget 2027 proposals submitted to MOF.

On the specific initiatives proposed by the ministry, Sim mentioned that details would be announced later through Budget 2027, with all proposals guided by the three main objectives. According to the Dewan Rakyat calendar, Budget 2027, themed 'Malaysia MADANI: Menggapai Di Langit, Mengakar di Bumi', is expected to be tabled by Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Oct 9.