Kuala Lumpur: The Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) has recorded 351,369 registered online businesses, as of April 30, marking a significant increase over the past five years. SSM deputy chief executive officer (Regulatory and Enforcement) Amir Ahmad said that the upward trend is largely driven by young entrepreneurs aged 35 and below.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, of the total, 77,540 were student entrepreneurs, including approximately 9,000 from Kelantan who registered their businesses with SSM. Amir Ahmad highlighted this trend after officiating the students’ career and entrepreneurship programme at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Kelantan branch.

The growing number of entrepreneurs among students reflects a rising entrepreneurial culture among youths, positioning entrepreneurship as a viable and attractive career option for income generation. He stated that SSM fully supports the younger generation’s efforts to venture into entrepreneurship through various initiatives, including the government-funded Free Business Registration Scheme, which is specifically targeted at students and those in the B40 income group.

Amir Ahmad further explained that registering a business not only boosts consumer confidence but also enables entrepreneurs to access a variety of government assistance and support programmes. He emphasized the importance of this measure for safeguarding consumer rights, especially as they face growing risks of sales fraud from unscrupulous parties.

Meanwhile, UiTM Kelantan branch rector, Prof Dr Mohd Afandi Mat Rani, noted that the programme organised by SSM aligns with the goals of the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 (SDG 2030), and the aspirations of the Malaysia MADANI concept initiated by the government. He remarked that the initiative aims to nurture a generation which is competent, competitive, and attuned to sustainable economic and social development-rooted in human values, prosperity, and innovation within the framework of a MADANI Malaysia.