PUTRAJAYA, April 20 (Bernama) -- The government has announced several measures to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) sustain operations amid the global energy crisis and the West Asia conflict, which have raised operating costs and disrupted supply chains.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said a key measure is the RM5 billion guarantee facility under Syarikat Jaminan Pembiayaan Perniagaan (SJPP), with financing coverage increased to up to 80 per cent from 70 per cent previously, and the guarantee tenure extended to up to 10 years from seven years.
The facility will support affected sectors, including construction, agriculture and agri-food, logistics, transportation, and tourism.
He said SJPP will also work with banks to facilitate loan restructuring and rescheduling, as well as targeted repayment assistance.
“In the face of intensifying global pressures, the MADANI government is acting swiftly, guided by direct feedback from industry players, to ensure that every measure reaches those who need it most.
“The spillover from the West Asia conflict is now having a broad impact on the global economy through energy supply disruptions, rising logistics and insurance costs, and continued pressure on input prices borne by traders, manufacturers, farmers and other industry players,” said Anwar in a statement today.
He also said the government is granting an additional 12-month transition period for the implementation of e-invoicing Phase 4 until Dec 31, 2027, for businesses with annual sales between RM1 million and RM5 million, including allowing consolidated e-invoices to be issued without penalties during the period.
The government is also considering, on an interim basis, exemptions on import duty and sales tax for the re-importation of Malaysian-made goods that were unable to complete the export process due to conflict-related disruptions, until Dec 31 this year.
Anwar said the government will continue to monitor the situation and assess the need to facilitate tax treatment for businesses affected by the West Asia conflict.
He noted that the government will continue to act proactively to ensure the business ecosystem remains resilient and adaptable to change amid prolonged global pressures.
“The government will continue to strengthen collaboration with financial institutions, industry players and entrepreneurs to ensure that the measures implemented help sustain business operations and protect jobs.
“This is not a temporary situation; we must be prepared for gradual and prolonged changes,” said the prime minister.
The measures announced are part of the MADANI government’s ongoing efforts since the onset of the crisis. Last week, Anwar engaged with Bumiputera MSMEs, and the outreach has now been expanded to include the Chinese and Indian business communities.
This approach emphasises that every segment of the economy is included, ensuring that all voices are heard and supported effectively.
In line with the MADANI Economy framework, the government remains committed to strengthening the resilience of the national economy amid global uncertainties, while ensuring assistance is delivered to those who need it most.
-- BERNAMA
