Latest news with #MADANIEconomicFramework
Barnama
2 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
SME Sentiment Index Signals Continued Confidence Among Entrepreneurs Despite Moderating Outlook
KUALA LUMPUR, June 19 (Bernama) -- Small Medium Enterprise Development Bank Malaysia Berhad ("SME Bank") has released the results of its SME Sentiment Index for the first half of 2025 ('1H 2025'), reflecting continued confidence among Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises ('MSMEs') despite anticipating economic and financial challenges arising from the United States' Tariff announcement. The latest index serves as a timely barometer of entrepreneurial sentiment, combining MSME perspectives with forward-looking indicators to provide valuable insights into the evolving business landscape and Malaysia's economic trajectory. 'SME Bank's SME Sentiment Index registered a solid 55.2 in the first half of 2025, reflecting continued optimism among entrepreneurs nationwide. While this marks a slight moderation from 55.8 in the previous half, the index remains well above the neutral level of 50, indicating steady confidence despite a softening from the strong post-COVID rebound observed in earlier surveys. Entrepreneurs are showing more cautious optimism, citing softer expectations around sales, expansion, and hiring. This sentiment echoes broader economic signs, reflecting recalibration in alignment with the MADANI Economic Framework, which prioritises sustainable, inclusive growth. While short-term sentiment has softened, Malaysia remains on a steady growth path, supported by structural reforms, high-quality investments, and a focus on resilience and shared prosperity,' said Datuk Dr. Mohammad Hardee Ibrahim, Acting Group President/Chief Executive Officer of SME Bank.
Barnama
4 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
Malaysia Must Be Adaptive In Policies To Become High-income Economy
KUALA LUMPUR, June 17 (Bernama) -- Malaysia must be adaptive in its policies, have strong institutions, and maintain a clear vision of its chosen direction to achieve its goal of becoming a high-income economy, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar said the MADANI Economic Framework reflects the nation's high-income economy vision and articulates a dual commitment. 'First, industrial policies should be modernised, focusing on sectoral competitiveness, digital transformation, green growth and value chain upgrading.
The Sun
14-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Private educational institutions to get one-year training levy waiver from 2026
KUALA LUMPUR: For the first time, the government has announced a one-year exemption from training levy payments for all private educational institutions, effective Jan 1, 2026. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the exemption covers all institutions, including preschools, primary and secondary schools, vocational education centres, institutions of higher learning, and general training institutes. 'After receiving numerous views from (private) education and training institutions, the MADANI government has sought the best solution to train our young people. This (exemption) is intended to allow them to focus on improving quality,' he said. He said this when officiating at the highlight of the National Training Weeks (NTW) 2025 at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium grounds here today. Also present was Human Resources Minister Steven Sim. At the same time, the Prime Minister directed the secretaries-general of the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) to monitor and ensure that these training institutions offer quality training following the granting of the levy waiver. 'Also monitor private companies with high profits to ensure they give something back to their workers,' he added. Under the Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Berhad Act 2001 (Act 612), employers are required to pay a levy to the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp), an agency under the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA), for training and skills development. Anwar also stressed the need to train the younger generation in new fields using current methods, in line with the MADANI Economic Framework, and not remain stuck in outdated training approaches. He said these include areas such as digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors and chip manufacturing. 'Malaysia's semiconductor industry is not small — the country is regarded as a hub and base for the ASEAN region. Nearly all of the world's largest semiconductor and AI companies are based in Malaysia,' he said.
The Sun
14-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Govt Announces Training Levy Exemption for Private Institutions
KUALA LUMPUR: For the first time, the government has announced a one-year exemption from training levy payments for all private educational institutions, effective Jan 1, 2026. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the exemption covers all institutions, including preschools, primary and secondary schools, vocational education centres, institutions of higher learning, and general training institutes. 'After receiving numerous views from (private) education and training institutions, the MADANI government has sought the best solution to train our young people. This (exemption) is intended to allow them to focus on improving quality,' he said. He said this when officiating at the highlight of the National Training Weeks (NTW) 2025 at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium grounds here today. Also present was Human Resources Minister Steven Sim. At the same time, the Prime Minister directed the secretaries-general of the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) to monitor and ensure that these training institutions offer quality training following the granting of the levy waiver. 'Also monitor private companies with high profits to ensure they give something back to their workers,' he added. Under the Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Berhad Act 2001 (Act 612), employers are required to pay a levy to the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp), an agency under the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA), for training and skills development. Anwar also stressed the need to train the younger generation in new fields using current methods, in line with the MADANI Economic Framework, and not remain stuck in outdated training approaches. He said these include areas such as digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors and chip manufacturing. 'Malaysia's semiconductor industry is not small — the country is regarded as a hub and base for the ASEAN region. Nearly all of the world's largest semiconductor and AI companies are based in Malaysia,' he said.
The Sun
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Several policies in place to address imbalance between high-value jobs and graduates
KLANG: To overcome the imbalance between the number of high-value jobs offered in the labour market and the number of graduates from higher learning institutions as well as Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), the government has launched several policies to address the matter, according to Human Resources Minister Steven Sim. The minister said among the policies in question were the MADANI Economic Framework and progressive salary policy which were among the efforts made by the government across ministries to ensure that every graduate and worker received a dignified remuneration. 'We have about 300,000 university graduates yearly, plus 100,000 TVET graduates, making a total of 400,000 Malaysians with higher education qualifications, but every year we are only able to generate 50,000 high-value and highly skilled jobs,' he said. He said this when met after the 2025 Trade Union Affairs Programme (PHEKS) Central Zone assistance handover ceremony here today. Sim also encouraged workers to join trade unions so that suitable salaries or remuneration could be negotiated well with employers. Yesterday, the media reported that more than 65 per cent of degree holders in the country earn a monthly salary of below RM3,000, thus earning an 'enough to eat' income with no room to save, invest or increase their social mobility. In addition, more than 70 per cent of graduates in the country were found to be forced to work in the semi-skilled and unskilled sectors. The findings were obtained through a study The 'Gaji Cukup Makan' Economy: When Higher Education Becomes an Economic Risk, conducted under the Malaysia Labour Market Insight Series.
