Malaysia's tech sector is heading into Budget 2027 with strong investment and export numbers. But how much of that growth is reaching Malaysian businesses, and what has actually been delivered a year after Budget 2026?

Alex Liew, Chairman of PIKOM, joins us ahead of the Budget to discuss:


The current picture: How much of the data centre and semiconductor investment is flowing to local firms, jobs, and suppliers.


Last year's review: What Budget 2026's commitments have delivered so far.


The talent gap: Working towards developing 60,000 skilled engineers.


What Budget 2027 should do: PIKOM's top three asks, and where the government should say no.


Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.

Malaysia's tech sector is heading into Budget 2027 with strong investment and export numbers. But how much of that growth is reaching Malaysian businesses, and what has actually been delivered a year after Budget 2026?Alex Liew, Chairman of PIKOM, joins us ahead of the Budget to discuss:<ul><li>The current picture: How much of the data centre and semiconductor investment is flowing to local firms, jobs, and suppliers.</li><li>Last year's review: What Budget 2026's commitments have delivered so far.</li><li>The talent gap: Working towards developing 60,000 skilled engineers.</li><li>What Budget 2027 should do: PIKOM's top three asks, and where the government should say no.</li></ul> Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.

Helping you navigate the ever-changing universe of business, from headlines to the bottom line

Helping you navigate the ever-changing universe of business, from headlines to the bottom line

Enterprise Explores

Budget 2027: Malaysia's Tech Industry Wish List

Higher fuel subsidies and a growing debt-servicing bill are eating into the country’s finances, while the possibility of an early general election makes fiscal consolidation harder to keep on track. Firdaos Rosli, chief economist at AmBank Group, tells us:


What to expect from Budget 2027, including tax deductions and measures to ease the cost of living and the cost of doing business, and how the budget is being planned while external pressures like the war continue.


Why the ringgit has weakened against the USD even though Malaysia's growth has beaten expectations.


Interest rate expectations. 


Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.

Higher fuel subsidies and a growing debt-servicing bill are eating into the country’s finances, while the possibility of an early general election makes fiscal consolidation harder to keep on track.&nbsp;Firdaos Rosli, chief economist at AmBank Group, tells us:<ul><li>What to expect from Budget 2027, including tax deductions and measures to ease the cost of living and the cost of doing business, and how the budget is being planned while external pressures like the war continue.</li><li>Why the ringgit has weakened against the USD even though Malaysia's growth has beaten expectations.</li><li>Interest rate expectations.&nbsp;</li></ul> Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.

Budget 2027 and Malaysia's Fiscal Tightrope

SMEs get most of the attention when we talk about Malaysia's economy, but sitting above them is a group of companies that often gets overlooked: mid-tier firms. These companies contribute to economic growth and are often pushing into new markets, but without the grants and incentives given to SMEs, and without the scale of the big conglomerates. With the government looking to reduce the country's fiscal deficit, is there a case for backing mid-tier firms in Budget 2027? And as these companies weigh Malaysia against other ASEAN markets for their regional base, what will it take to keep them here?

Fung Mei Lin, Tax Partner and Private Leader at PwC Malaysia, joins us to discuss.

We get into:


The overlooked middle: What role mid-tier companies actually play in Malaysia's growth story, and the opportunities and challenges they face as they expand.


The case for incentives: Whether the government should offer more tax incentives to Malaysian-owned mid-tier companies


Staying competitive regionally: How to keep these companies based in Malaysia. 


Keeping talent here: What it would take to help Malaysian mid-tier companies attract, develop, and retain the talent needed to build regional businesses from home.


Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.

SMEs get most of the attention when we talk about Malaysia's economy, but sitting above them is a group of companies that often gets overlooked: mid-tier firms. These companies contribute to economic growth and are often pushing into new markets, but without the grants and incentives given to SMEs, and without the scale of the big conglomerates. With the government looking to reduce the country's fiscal deficit, is there a case for backing mid-tier firms in Budget 2027? And as these companies weigh Malaysia against other ASEAN markets for their regional base, what will it take to keep them here?Fung Mei Lin, Tax Partner and Private Leader at PwC Malaysia, joins us to discuss.We get into:<ul><li>The overlooked middle: What role mid-tier companies actually play in Malaysia's growth story, and the opportunities and challenges they face as they expand.</li><li>The case for incentives: Whether the government should offer more tax incentives to Malaysian-owned mid-tier companies</li><li>Staying competitive regionally: How to keep these companies based in Malaysia.&nbsp;</li><li>Keeping talent here: What it would take to help Malaysian mid-tier companies attract, develop, and retain the talent needed to build regional businesses from home.</li></ul> Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.

Budget 2027: Can It Back Malaysia's Mid-Tier Firms?

Budget 2027 will be tabled in Parliament on October 9, with the government has already highlighted the need to build more competitive home-grown businesses, with a focus on financing, technology, talent, and helping Malaysian companies enter regional and global markets.

We get into:


The startup and SME Budget 2027 wish list: What should be in the budget to address the data centre buildup and boost the startup and tech SME sector in the country.


The gaps holding Malaysia back: Where Malaysian startups and SMEs are still falling short of scaling regionally, and why those gaps need addressing now to avoid missed opportunities.


The real problem with financing: Why the issue often isn't a shortage of grants or loans, but the way that money is actually structured and accessed.


Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.

Budget 2027 will be tabled in Parliament on October 9, with the government has already highlighted the need to build more competitive home-grown businesses, with a focus on financing, technology, talent, and helping Malaysian companies enter regional and global markets.We get into:<ul><li>The startup and SME Budget 2027 wish list: What should be in the budget to address the data centre buildup and boost the startup and tech SME sector in the country.</li><li>The gaps holding Malaysia back: Where Malaysian startups and SMEs are still falling short of scaling regionally, and why those gaps need addressing now to avoid missed opportunities.</li><li>The real problem with financing: Why the issue often isn't a shortage of grants or loans, but the way that money is actually structured and accessed.</li></ul> Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.

Budget 2027: Malaysia's Tech Industry Wish List

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