Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Malaysia (Samenta) said this could include low-interest financing for solar installations and energy-efficient machinery to lower overheads and reduce reliance on volatile fuel prices amid the global energy crisis.

Earlier today, the government said the RM5 billion allocation for financing guarantees under SJPP would especially support MSMEs in the construction, agriculture and agro-food, logistics and transport, and tourism sectors.

It said more than 50,000 MSMEs had received aid through RM50 billion in financing guarantees from 2023 to 2025.

Samenta president William Ng called for incentives to help MSMEs adopt circular economy models to deal with raw material shortages caused by conflict-driven supply chain disruptions.

“This includes grants for waste-to-wealth technologies, recycling initiatives, and resource-sharing platforms to reduce reliance on imported petrochemicals and steel,” he said in a statement.

Ng praised the government’s measures, including a 12-month extension of the grace period for e-invoicing implementation, and targeted loan restructuring and rescheduling efforts in collaboration with banks.

He said they provided critical liquidity and administrative relief, adding that the current crisis required structural adjustments, including a stronger focus on energy transition and resource efficiency.

“We remain committed to working closely with the finance ministry, the entrepreneur development and cooperatives ministry, and relevant agencies to ensure this assistance is delivered in a targeted manner to MSMEs that need it most,” he said.