Anwar Urges Successful Entrepreneurs to Mentor New Businesses

PUTRAJAYA, July 4 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today called on successful entrepreneurs to act as mentors to new companies and emerging entrepreneurs, emphasizing that real-world business experience is far more meaningful than a purely theoretical approach.

He stated that entrepreneur development should not be executed in a “top down” manner, but should instead be guided directly by individuals with practical experience in managing and expanding businesses.

“The approach should not be “top down” because the people who know what working capital is, the prices of goods, market conditions, all of these are people in the field who should know. We are only motivators, not necessarily teachers,” he said when opening the SPaRK 2026 event organized by Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Bhd (PUNB) here today.

In line with this, the Prime Minister suggested that established entrepreneurs collaborate with new companies, in addition to being invited as speakers to share their journeys in building businesses.

Earlier, Anwar launched SPaRK 2026: Business Transformation, which serves as PUNB’s primary platform. The agency is targeting financing approvals of up to RM2.25 billion over the period of 2026 to 2030 to bolster the development of Bumiputera entrepreneurs.

This target, set under the R30 Strategic Framework, aims to accelerate the growth of Bumiputera companies. increase commercial scaling capabilities, create quality job opportunities and strengthen the country’s main supply chain.

-NMT