SME Corp Allocates RM12 Mln To Bolster Local Entrepreneurs, Businesses

KUALA LUMPUR, May 10 (Bernama) -- SME Corp Malaysia has allocated RM12 million to strengthen the development of local entrepreneurs and businesses, which will benefit 500 Bumiputera youth entrepreneurs.

The agency, in a statement today, announced that the allocation was channeled through the Tunas Usahawan Belia Bumiputera Skala (TUBE-S) Programme which was held simultaneously in three zones, namely Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak, starting from May 4 until today.

The closing ceremony of the TUBE-S Programme and Tunas Usahawan Programme (PROTAS) of the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) in 2026 was officiated by SME Corp Malaysia chief executive officer Rizal Nainy in Hulu Langat, today.

Rizal in his speech said that the TUBE Programme which started in 2014 has become a high-impact government initiative to train Bumiputera youth entrepreneurs.

He said that until last year, a total of 9,043 youths had benefited, spawning 8,805 new businesses and the creation of more than 20,000 job opportunities, in addition to youth entrepreneurs successfully generating cumulative sales of RM252 million to date.

“SME Corp Malaysia’s philosophy is to support MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) from the starting point until they are able to stand proudly as industry players. We are not just giving grants, but building confidence, discipline and resilience.

“I also urge programme participants to treat all the knowledge and experience gained throughout this programme as the most valuable supplies that need to be taken home and practised in business,” he said.

The TUBE-S programme introduced this year is a continuation of the TUBE Programme, an entrepreneurial training programme targeting Bumiputera youth aged between 18 and 30 years old.

The TUBE-S programme in the Peninsular zone was attended by 342 Bumiputera youth and 50 asnaf entrepreneurs under PROTAS MAIWP while the TUBE-S programmes in Sabah and Sarawak, respectively, have successfully trained 102 and 43 Bumiputera youth.

The ceremony was also attended by the deputy secretary-general of the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Rahman Mohd Din, deputy chief executive officer of MAIWP Ahmad Talmizi Yahaya and rector of UiTM Kedah Branch Associate Professor Dr Mahazir Ismail.

-- BERNAMA