KUSKOP Begins Stakeholder Engagements for Budget 2027 Input, Guided by ABCD Framework

BUKIT MERTAJAM, Aug 2 — The Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP) has kicked off nationwide consultations with key industry stakeholders to gather proposals and feedback for submission to the Ministry of Finance ahead of Budget 2027.

Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong stated that the engagement process involves Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), cooperatives, and small trader associations. The consultation phase is expected to span one to two months, aligning with the federal government’s budget formulation timeline.

“We are gathering proposals and ideas from stakeholders in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and cooperative sectors so that they can be submitted to the Ministry of Finance as input for the 2027 Budget,” Sim told reporters today.

Sim announced the initiative after launching the 2026 KUSKOP MADANI Sales (JMK) Programme at the Taman Makok Basketball Court here. The launch event was also attended by Padang Lalang assemblyman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen and National Cooperative Movement of Malaysia (ANGKASA) president Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Fattah Abdullah.

According to the minister, all submitted proposals will be structured around KUSKOP’s ABCD framework, which focuses on Productivity Transformation, Bureaucratic Simplification, Access to Capital, and Market Accessibility to strengthen the competitiveness of local business sectors.

Sim noted that the framework prioritises larger funding allocations for MSMEs and cooperatives, lower business operating costs, and improvements in government service delivery and industrial productivity. While regular discussions with entrepreneurs are conducted throughout the year, formal engagement intensifies during the active budget preparation cycle.

Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim previously announced that the federal government will begin drafting Budget 2027 next month ahead of its scheduled parliamentary tabling in October. Anwar emphasized that the upcoming budget will maintain its focus on translating economic growth into tangible improvements in public livelihood.

Addressing the local sales event, Sim highlighted that today’s JMK programme marked the sixth edition held in Penang, offering roughly 80 types of essential household goods at discounts ranging between 20 and 30 percent. A total of 13 federal, state, and local government agencies participated to provide direct counter services to members of the public.

–NMT