Pikom chairman Alex Liew said industry feedback showed that more than 70% of claims remained unpaid beyond six months, far exceeding the previously communicated timeline of one to two weeks.
Liew said over 10,000 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) had adopted digital solutions through more than 400 digitalisation partners under the grant, warning that the delays place considerable strain on both service providers and MSMEs.
“Digitalisation partners, many of whom have already delivered solutions in full, are facing mounting cash flow pressures.
“At the same time, MSMEs are being exposed to unexpected financial demands, including requests to settle outstanding balances, potential service disruptions, and legal risks, despite acting in accordance with an approved government programme,” he said in a statement.
He said the situation was compounded by current market conditions, with rising costs of digital infrastructure components due to global supply volatility.
He said the issue was not due to a failure in delivery, but rather a breakdown at the disbursement stage.
“When companies have fulfilled their obligations yet face prolonged uncertainty in payment, it places undue strain across the entire ecosystem, from service providers to MSMEs.
“In the current environment of rising costs and tighter cash flows, resolving this issue promptly is critical to sustaining industry momentum and confidence,” he said.
Liew called for immediate clarity on disbursement timelines, as well as expedited or phased payments for outstanding claims. He also called for a review of the current process to ensure stronger execution in future programmes.
The grant is a government initiative under the 2026 budget aimed at helping MSMEs adopt digital technologies to improve productivity and competitiveness.
Eligible MSMEs can receive up to 50% of the cost, capped at RM5,000 per company, for adopting digital technologies such as e-POS or point-of-sale systems, accounting software, marketing tools, cybersecurity, e-invoicing, and AI solutions.