SAMENTA Unveils New Council, Sets AI, Policy Reform Agenda For SMEs
KUALA LUMPUR, June 29 (Bernama) -- The Small and Medium Enterprises Association Malaysia (SAMENTA) has unveiled its national council for the 2026-2029 term, outlining priorities that include adopting artificial intelligence (AI) and policy reforms to strengthen small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
In a statement today, the association said re-elected national president Datuk William Ng will lead the incoming council, introducing a progressive blueprint aimed at shifting Malaysian SMEs from operational survival to aggressive, technology-driven global scaling.
“The freshly minted council combines seasoned industry advocates with deep sector specialists across digital technology, finance, and manufacturing, reflecting the increasingly complex economic landscape local businesses face in 2026,” it said.
Commenting on the new council’s priorities, Ng said Malaysian SMEs are at a critical turning point amid fiscal reforms, labour market transformation, regional supply chain recalibrations and the rapid adoption of AI.
“This council is not here to maintain the status quo. We are a strategic partner to both the government and our 1.1 million micro, small and medium enterprises to drive deep, structural transformation,” he said.
Ng said the association will expand its existing programmes to support the implementation of these priorities.
“We intend to double down on our current initiatives, including the ongoing 50 Hyperlocal AI Fest, ASEAN’s first Circular Economy Certification, RetailTech+, and the Digitalisation Grader tool to elevate our SMEs,” he said.
He added that the association's ultimate goal is to develop the next generation of industry leaders while promoting a more efficient and digitalised bureaucracy for businesses.
“SAMENTA will remain a formidable force in shaping national economic policies that protect and empower the ultimate backbone of the Malaysian economy,” Ng said.
Under Ng’s leadership, the new council has outlined four priority pillars for its three-year term, namely accelerating AI integration and digitalisation among SMEs and advocating for policy and structural reforms,
The council also aims to support the transition of local businesses from original equipment manufacturers to intellectual property owners under the “Made by Malaysia” initiative, while promoting the adoption of environmental, social and governance practices and the circular economy.
Besides Ng, the newly elected national council comprises Edwin Ng as deputy president, Timothy Liew as secretary-general, Calvin Kwan, Christopher Ng and Derrick Tan as vice presidents, and Fan Kah Seong as national treasurer.
The council members are John Loh, Gerard Law, Michael Goh, Theophilus Wong, Paranjit Singh and Henry Tye.
-- BERNAMA