Penang: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wants Penang to emerge as one of the best-performing states in Bumiputera economic participation through strategic collaboration among all Bumiputera development agencies at both the federal and state levels. He emphasized the need to correct the perception that Bumiputeras in Penang are lagging in economic development, highlighting records and data that show Bumiputera economic participation in the state is stronger than in most Malay-majority states in Peninsular Malaysia.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar addressed this issue while opening the Penang International Halal Trade Exhibition (PIHEX) 2026 and the Penang Bumiputera Entrepreneurs Gathering (HUBPP) at Seberang Perai Polytechnic in Permatang Pauh. The event was attended by notable figures such as Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil, Penang Deputy Chief Minister I and Penang Halal Industry Development Council (MPIHPP) chairman Datuk Dr Mohamad Abd Hamid, and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) chairman Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din.
The prime minister stressed the importance of aligning all Bumiputera development agencies in Penang under a single strategic framework to ensure more effective implementation of initiatives. He instructed Penang Bumiputera Development Council (MPBPP) chairman Tan Sri Khalid Ramli to coordinate all Bumiputera agencies under the Bumiputera Economic Development Council to enhance implementation efforts.
Anwar expressed his hope to receive a report within the next few weeks, aiming for Penang to stand out in Bumiputera economic participation in Malaysia. He also highlighted Penang's potential to leverage its position as a semiconductor hub by expanding Bumiputera companies' participation in the high-technology supply chain of the industry.
To support this effort, Anwar announced an allocation of RM5 million for the Bumiputera Semiconductor Action Plan. This initiative is designed to increase Bumiputera companies' involvement in the sector, allowing them to establish themselves within the semiconductor industry's supply chain rather than replacing existing companies.
Earlier, Datuk Dr Mohamad Abd Hamid noted that Penang experienced an increase in holders of the Malaysian Halal Certification (SPHM), from 1,098 in 2024 to 1,191 in 2025, with 853 certificate holders recorded as of July 14 this year.