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New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Industry association urges permanent LPG permit exemption for small businesses
KUALA LUMPUR: The Small and Medium Enterprises Association Malaysia (Samenta) has urged the government to make permanent the exemption from the Scheduled Controlled Goods Permit (PBKB) for micro and small-scale food and retail businesses using subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). "We hope the amendments to the Control of Supplies Regulations 2021 will recognise the unique needs of micro and small enterprises and introduce a permanent exemption for those in essential sectors like food and retail. "At the very least, a simplified, tiered or digital-friendly permit process should be introduced," said its president Datuk William Ng today. Samenta welcomed the cabinet's move to exempt micro and small-scale businesses, describing it as a timely and much-needed relief for businesses grappling with rising operational costs and declining consumer spending. "Many of these businesses operate on thin margins, and the ability to continue accessing subsidised LPG without the added administrative burden of obtaining a PBKB helps ease pressure on both cost and compliance," Ng said. However, the group cautioned that reinstating the permit requirement in full could harm informal and micro businesses, which may struggle with the administrative process, including documentation and digital access. "It could also unintentionally drive some of them out of the formal supply chain or into non-compliance, creating enforcement challenges and disrupting livelihoods," he said. Ng also called on the government to strengthen engagement with industry bodies ahead of future policy changes. "We urge the government to ensure that future regulations consider the realities faced by smaller businesses, and to enhance consultation with industry groups like Samenta before implementation," he added. Earlier today, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the Cabinet had agreed that micro and small-scale food and retail businesses may continue using subsidised LPG cylinders without a PBKB until October. Armizan said that the exemption would remain in effect throughout the Ops Gasak enforcement period and until amendments to the Control of Supplies (Amendment) Regulations 2021 are finalised.
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Data protection officer rule creates SME compliance woes
KUALA LUMPUR: An association representing more than 5,000 small- and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) has voiced concerns about the lack of clarity on the government's requirement for certain businesses to employ data protection officers (DPOs). Last July, the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) was amended, requiring, among other things, the appointment of DPOs for companies processing more than 20,000 individual personal data entries and 10,000 sensitive personal data entries. The amended PDPA comes into effect today, but the Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Malaysia (Samenta) said many companies are in the dark over policy specifics. "Most SMEs are struggling to interpret what is expected of them, including the criteria for determining who qualifies as a DPO, the scope of responsibilities, and the consequences of non-compliance," Samenta president Datuk William Ng said. He said while SMEs understood the importance of data protection, there is a need to be realistic about the capacity of smaller companies to absorb additional costs linked to the rule. "Many SMEs subject to PDPA are using bare-bones templates for their policy statements. "The new rule requiring a data protection officer will raise costs and compliance requirements." He said the creation of such a role would set an SME back by RM45,000 to RM60,000 a year. Ng called on the government to extend the deadline for compliance. "We need the government to provide clearer, more detailed guidelines on the DPO role, including responsibilities, compliance expectations and enforcement mechanisms." The New Straits Times has reached out to the Digital Ministry for comment and clarification about the DPO role, enforcement plans and industry player concerns, but has not received a response. While the Personal Data Protection Commissioner's Office has released guidelines on the appointment of DPOs, employers say the guidelines lack clarity and specificity. According to the FAQ on the commission's website, no minimum requirements have been set for DPOs, although employers must ensure that appointed officers receive adequate training to perform their duties. It also states that DPOs must be knowledgeable about PDPA and have a sound understanding of data security. The FAQ said there is no directive on the duration of courses or training that DPOs must attend. "However, it is recommended that such courses or training be completed within a reasonable timeframe, and organisations should determine an appropriate duration based on the course content and their needs." Malaysian Employers Federation president Datuk Syed Hussain Syed Husman has called for the publication of detailed guidelines on the minimum qualifications required for DPOs. "The government should outline minimum competency standards to ensure consistency. "Without this standard, enforcement may be arbitrary, and employers acting in good faith may face penalties." "Without guidelines on credentials, employers face uncertainty when hiring and appointing DPOs." Syed Hussain said MSMEs, in particular, would struggle with role allocation, especially if the DPO role is part time or combined with other responsibilities. "For large employers, DPO responsibilities may be absorbed within the legal, compliance or IT departments. "But most SMEs will find it difficult to manage this as a separate requirement. "We need to be realistic in our execution and not rely on a textbook approach." He urged the government to consider extending the compliance deadline. "Additional time will allow employers to prepare and build the necessary infrastructure for sustained compliance and effective data protection governance." Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers president Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai said hiring a full-time DPO would significantly increase salary and benefit costs for companies. "Annual salaries for an in-house DPO range from RM40,000 to RM150,000, depending on the company's size, the size and complexity of the data handled, and the talent's experience." Soh said a short extension period should be given to companies struggling to comply with the regulation. He said the government should provide additional guidance and support, such as training programmes and clearer communication about the requirements. Jobstreet by SEEK estimates that 27,000 DPOs are needed to fulfil the government's requirements, its managing director Nicholas Lam said. "There is no public estimate for thenumber of practising DPOs in Malaysia. "However, industry feedback on our platform indicates that while organisations recognise the importance of data protection, many do not yet have a dedicated DPO role." Lam said DPO job listings have been relatively unchanged since 2021 despite the new requirements. UiTM Associate Professor of Cybersecurity and Information Safety Dr Muhamad Khairulnizam Zaini said university programmes at the bachelor's and master's levels and even certificates were sufficient to supply such talent. "The Human Resources Development Corporation's Data Privacy and Privacy by Design course is also applicable to develop the skills needed." Khairulnizam, however, said there would be a temporary shortage of DPOs as the June deadline looms. "We are on the right track. Preparedness is a challenge due to a lack of talent." He said that the government's mandate has aligned Malaysia more closely with international standards. He added that having qualified personnel will reduce data breaches and cybersecurity risks, and encourage companies to be more accountable in maintaining cyber hygiene.
New Straits Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Samenta urges policy continuity, bold reforms ahead of 13MP finalisation
KUALA LUMPUR: The Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Malaysia (SAMENTA) has urged the government to maintain policy continuity and commit to bold, long-term economic reforms as the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) draws closer to its finalisation. The call was made following the resignation of Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli as Minister of Economy. The association warned that Malaysia risks losing another economic cycle unless the reforms outlined in the draft 13MP are safeguarded and fully implemented. In a statement today, its president, Datuk William Ng, said 13MP must be viewed as a national blueprint born out of broad consultations and urgent necessity. "Malaysia has fallen behind Asian peers because we've failed to act boldly on the basics, namely education, productivity, and enterprise competitiveness. "We understand the plan seeks to pivot the economy towards productivity, private sector investment, and behavioural change. But we must also agree that no plan will succeed if we do not address the underlying issues that continue to hold Malaysia back," he said. The association emphasised the need for the incoming leadership at the Ministry of Economy to preserve the core strategic thrusts of 13MP, including its focus on policy sequencing, behavioural incentives, and place-based development. The government must also ensure execution readiness by aligning ministries, agencies, and budget priorities around outcomes, not merely activities. "The 13MP may very well be our last real chance to become a truly high-income, innovation-driven economy. We cannot afford to keep revisiting the same challenges every five years," Ng said. -- BERNAMA TAGS: SAMENTA, 13th Malaysia Plan, William Ng, economy
Business Times
25-05-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Audience Analytics eyes growth in Vietnam, M&A opportunities
[SINGAPORE] Audience Analytics, an organiser of regional business awards and career fairs, is seeking growth in Vietnam with its recent investment in a business partner there, while looking out for merger and acquisition (M&A) opportunities. On May 15, the company inked a deal to acquire 30 per cent of Snowball, a Vietnam-based management consultancy, for 17.5 billion dong (S$870,000). Snowball has partnered Audience Analytics to organise business awards since 2018, said the Catalist-listed company's chairman and managing director William Ng. 'It's a natural progression of what has already been a great partnership… We see a lot of potential to grow further in Vietnam,' he said, adding that he shares knowledge and resources with Snowball, while retaining its 'entrepreneurial spirit'. Snowball is next set to organise a new career fair in June – called the Vietnam Career and Training Fair – as a licensee of Audience Analytics. The event is modelled after Audience Analytics' signature event, the Malaysia Career and Training Fair, which the company has organised since its founding in 2002. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up Audience Analytics' expansion in Vietnam is in line with its broader pursuit of growth in what Ng dubs the 'CLMV market', comprising Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. 'These markets are all very young. We see a fast-growing workforce and a lot of opportunities to expand (our) reach there via our existing partnership in Vietnam,' said Ng. Audience Analytics is also on the lookout for M&A opportunities. The company is sitting on S$21.6 million in cash as at Dec 31, 2024, with S$2.8 million in current liabilities. 'It makes a lot of sense for us to convert some of this cash holding into more revenue and more profit via the M&A route. We are currently in active discussion with a number of potential partners,' he said. Proxy to business sentiment Audience Analytics' growth plans come amid challenging economic conditions, with the US' tariff war dampening the growth outlook for South-east Asia. The company's main revenue driver is its business awards segment, through which it earns participation fees. Its key awards include SME100, HR Asia Best Companies to Work for in Asia, CXP Best Customer Experience Awards, and the Golden Bull Award. These awards are held in 15 markets across the region, spanning South-east Asia, India, China and South Korea. Besides exhibitions and awards, Audience Analytics is also a publisher of business-to-business digital and print media. The company is a 'proxy' to overall business sentiment, noted Ng. 'If businesses do well and they're happy about it, the likelihood of them investing in our products – whether it's the exhibitions, media or business analytics – will be higher,' he said. He acknowledged that sentiment has been uncertain this year, but with the recent tariff truce between US and China, Ng is more sanguine about the outlook. 'We no longer see the reciprocal tariffs to be a major impediment to our revenue this year.' He also sees Audience Analytics' geographical breadth as a 'major hedge' against volatility. Ng pointed to how the company fared well in FY2024 despite a 'very difficult' year, thanks to continued growth and cost discipline. Audience Analytics posted a 28.8 per cent rise in net profit to S$6 million for the year ended Dec 31, 2024. This was on the back of a 6.5 per cent rise in revenue to S$15.6 million. The top-line expansion was driven by the awards segment, where revenue rose 7.7 per cent to S$14.5 million. 'What I found was our real achievement in 2024 was that we managed to reign in the incremental cost, and we delivered a very strong bottom line,' said Ng. That said, performance was weaker in other segments. Revenue from the exhibitions business was down 6.6 per cent to S$1 million, due to softer demand. The business media and analytics segment's sales fell even more steeply – by 31 per cent – to S$46,165. Acknowledging that media is a tough business, Ng said that this vertical is 'not just about the money', but also about brand-building. He cited how the 18-year-old SME Magazine in Malaysia 'is almost a household name'. The company's SME-related awards and events gain more recognition when people associate it with the magazine, Ng said. Plenty of runway Despite the market volatility in the past few years, Audience Analytics' share price has risen 31.1 per cent since its 2021 listing. It is also up 10.8 per cent since the start of the year to S$0.295 as at May 23. Ng is not too concerned about the share price, but hopes to attract investors with a long-term view and reward them. One sweetener is the company's new dividend policy – it aims to pay out at least 50 per cent of profits as dividends for FY2025 to FY2027. He is also 'constantly on the lookout for new strategies' to improve liquidity for investors. The company recently issued investors one bonus share for every three ordinary shares, which has made 'the stock a lot more liquid now than a year ago', noted Ng. Asked how investors should view Audience Analytics, he said: 'This is a young company with plenty of runway, and a company that truly values investors.'
Malaysian Reserve
23-05-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Samenta: No real ASEAN integration without MSMEs
by AZALEA AZUAR THE Small and Medium Enterprises Association Malaysia (Samenta) is urging ASEAN leaders to place micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) at the forefront of discussions as Malaysia hosts the ASEAN Summit 2025. National president Datuk William Ng said the summit is expected to impact the region's support and scaling of its MSMEs. 'We call on ASEAN leaders to seize this moment: Reduce non-tariff barriers (NTB), leverage geopolitical shifts, invest in creative and digital sectors, and create a level playing field in trade and compliance. 'A resilient ASEAN must start from the ground up, with our small businesses at the core of our shared future,' he said in a statement. Ng stressed how MSMEs make up a majority (more than 97%) of all business in ASEAN and are responsible for 85% of employment in several member states. Despite their abundance, they only contribute 30% to 40% of the region's GDP and 22% of intra-regional trade due to structural barriers and limited scale, innovation and integration into regional value chains. Ng raised concerns regarding the low ASEAN trade levels as it represents a missed opportunity despite their proximity and cultural familiarity. ASEAN trade is important for MSMEs for internalisation but NTB such as inconsistent product labelling, cumbersome customs clearance and poorly coordinated regulations in the agrifood sector make it inefficient and costly. 'ASEAN must take bold steps to address these issues through enforceable agreements on NTB reduction, expanded mutual recognition arrangements (MRAs) and greater operationalisation of the ASEAN Single Window for MSMEs,' Ng said. Ng also advised ASEAN to present itself as a neutral and business-friendly bloc to absorb global investments and new manufacturing mandates as global supply chains are shifting and companies are diversifying away from single country dependencies. Therefore, he suggested enhancing the capacity of MSMEs to avoid entrenching economic dualism and widening inequality. 'ASEAN must also remain vigilant against rising protectionism in a fragmented world and ensure reciprocal market access is honoured. 'While large firms often have the resources to adapt or lobby, MSMEs are typically the first casualties of sudden tariffs, quota restrictions or import bans. 'ASEAN must be proactive in trade defence, making sure our MSMEs are not collateral damage in global economic disputes,' Ng said. ASEAN MSMEs face a middle-income trap due to low-value sectors, and for them to escape the trap, they need investment in innovation grants, regional research and development (R&D) centres, and cross-border talent and technology platforms. This is critical not only for income growth but also for building globally competitive MSMEs that can expand beyond their home markets. Moreover, the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement should promote inclusive platforms, cross-border e-commerce and data governance policies, while focusing on realistic environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards for smaller firms. Ng also acknowledged the high potential of the creative economy for MSMEs, noting that it is scalable, culturally rooted and has strong export prospects. 'ASEAN must include the creative economy in its regional economic integration strategy, with a focus on copyright and intellectual property (IP) protection for creators, market access and mobility for creative professionals and creative clusters and infrastructure, especially for youth and women-led enterprises,' he said.
