PENANG, June 27, 2026 — The Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Malaysia (SAMENTA) held its highly anticipated National Annual General Meeting (AGM) today in Penang. The triennial election saw Datuk William Ng re-elected as National President for the 2026-2029 term, alongside a freshly-minted National Council combining seasoned industry advocates with specialists in digital technology, finance, and manufacturing.
A Blueprint for Structural Transformation
In his first address to the newly elected council, Datuk William Ng laid out a progressive blueprint aimed at shifting Malaysia’s 1.1 million micro, small, and medium enterprises — from operational survival to aggressive, technology-driven global scaling.
“Malaysian SMEs are at a critical turning point,” Ng told the assembly. “Between structural policy shifts like fiscal reforms, labour market transformation, regional supply chain recalibrations, and the sheer velocity of AI adoption, the traditional way of doing business is fast becoming obsolete.”
The blueprint rests on four core pillars:
1. Accelerated AI Integration & Digitalisation
“We are moving beyond basic digital presence to embed deep-tech capabilities and automated workflows into traditional SME operations,” Ng said, positioning AI as an existential imperative rather than a luxury. The association has already been putting this into action through its ongoing 50-city Hyperlokal AI Fest, a nationwide initiative bringing practical AI training directly to SMEs.
2. Aggressive Policy Advocacy & Structural Reform
The association will intensify its lobbying role, pushing for a level playing field for SMEs, a streamlined foreign labour framework, and simplified bureaucratic processes at local government levels.
3. ‘Made by Malaysia’ Transition
SAMENTA will drive SMEs to transition from OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) to intellectual property (IP) owners. “We are also driving SMEs to transition from OEMs to IP owners, allowing them to compete globally rather than engaging in low-margin domestic price wars,” Ng said.
4. Adoption of ESG & Circularity
SAMENTA will assist SMEs in navigating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks and circular economy adoption to strengthen their supply chain presence. The association has already launched ASEAN’s first Circular Economy Certification to support this pillar, alongside the RetailTech+ platform and the Digitalisation Grader tool.
Doubling Down on Ground Initiatives
“We intend to double down on our current initiatives, including the ongoing 50 Hyperlocal AI Fest, Asean’s first Circular Economy Certification, RetailTech+, and our Digitalisation Grader tool to tangibly elevate our SMEs,” Ng said.
“Our ultimate goal is to actively groom the next generation of industry leaders while ensuring that efficient, digitalised bureaucracy becomes a reality for businesses on the ground.”
A Critical Turning Point for Malaysian SMEs
The Bernama news agency reported that the newly unveiled council will prioritise AI integration, policy reform, and SME globalisation, describing the leadership as a “freshly minted” mix of seasoned advocates and sector specialists (https://www.bernamabiz.com/news.php?id=2574282/). The Borneo Post likewise highlighted Ng’s warning that “the traditional way of doing business is fast becoming obsolete” and his vision for SAMENTA as “a strategic partner to both the government and our 1.1 million micro, small and medium enterprises to drive deep, structural transformation” (https://www.theborneopost.com/2026/06/29/william-ng-re-elected-samenta-president-introduces-blueprint-to-shift-smes-towards-tech-driven-global-scaling/).
Malay-language daily Dagang News also covered the re-election, reporting on the continuity of leadership and the association’s renewed mandate (https://www.dagangnews.com/article/terkini/william-ng-dipilih-semula-presiden-persatuan-pks-malaysia-bagi-penggal-2026-2029-70796).
The 2026-2029 SAMENTA National Council
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| National President | Datuk William Ng |
| Deputy President | Edwin Ng |
| Secretary General | Timothy Liew |
| Vice Presidents | Calvin Kwan, Christopher Ng, Derrick Tan |
| National Treasurer | Fan Kah Seong |
| Council Members | Dr John Loh, Gerard Law, Michael Goh, Theophilus Wong, Paranjit Singh, Dr Henry Tye |
About SAMENTA
For nearly four decades, the Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Malaysia (SAMENTA) has stood as the definitive voice for local businesses. As the country’s oldest and most established association for SMEs, SAMENTA actively shapes national economic policies, fosters industry innovation, and serves as a powerful collective voice advocating for the enterprises that form the backbone of Malaysia’s economy. Today, that historic mission is evolving rapidly to meet the demands of a tech-driven world.
Related coverage on BD Media: Northern Region AGM (https://media.bigdomain.my/news/samenta-northern-region-agm/), AI Fest Penang (https://media.bigdomain.my/about-bigdomain/samenta-sme-ai-fest-2026-penang-bukit-mertajam/), Circular Economy (https://media.bigdomain.my/news/malaysias-pivot-to-premium-samenta-circular-economy/), BFM Podcast (https://media.bigdomain.my/news/datuk-william-ng-bfm-podcast-sme-transformation/).
