ACCCIM welcomes the Government’s recalibration of the regulatory and tax measures to ease the financial burden on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in a challenging business environment.

The ACCCIM has been raising concerns about multiple factors contributing to increased business costs, and the domino negative effects on the business and economic landscape. The recalibration of these measures demonstrates the government’s pragmatism in its economic policies implementation while being mindful of the potential impact on businesses. The decision to raise the e-invoice exemption threshold from RM500,000 to RM1 million beginning 2026 would ease the compliance costs and administrative burden for MSMEs.

While a doubling of the tax refund allocation from RM2 billion to RM4 billion will help businesses struggling with delayed payments, and easing their cash flow, the processing timelines must be expedited with the improved compensation mechanisms to ensure timely returns to taxpayers.

ACCCIM also appreciates the Government measures to provide a two-year moratorium with no enforcement and no penalty on the reporting of jobs vacancies under the amendments to PERKESO. This would be done together with the plans to exempt SMEs from mandatory job vacancy reporting, subject to the outcome of stakeholders’ consultation. While we welcome sufficient consultation with stakeholders before implementing this mandatory job vacancy reporting, the effectiveness and perception of mandatory job reporting hinge on balancing the benefits of a transparent labour market for jobs matching with the businesses’ need for operational flexibility and minimal compliance burden.

Moving forward, early consultations with key stakeholders could be held for the formulation of major policy changes to ensure clarity, practicality, and smoother implementation. We sincerely hope the Government will continue fostering a conducive business environment and undertake future economic reforms in a gradual, well-phased manner, supported by meaningful stakeholder engagement.
With these latest policy adjustments, ACCCIM is optimistic that the Government has taken a meaningful step toward safeguarding the interests of SMEs, enabling them to stabilise their operations, invest in growth, and contribute more effectively to Malaysia’s economic recovery and long-term development.

With these latest policy adjustments, ACCCIM is optimistic that the Government has taken a meaningful step toward safeguarding the interests of SMEs, enabling them to stabilise their operations, invest in growth, and contribute more effectively to Malaysia’s economic recovery and long-term development.