Tekun Nasional is piloting a project to approve financing applications below RM20,000 within 24 hours, with plans to officially launch the fast-track process in two to three months [1, 2, 3]. The goal is to help micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) access working capital quickly without long delays. Steven Sim Chee Keong said, "We are currently running a pilot project (for financing approvals below RM20,000), and we aim to launch it within the next two to three months. We want to offer a 24-hour processing period to facilitate MSMEs… so these small businesses do not have to wait long (to secure financing for working capital)" [3].
Currently, Tekun Nasional processes and approves financing applications up to RM100,000 within seven days, while SME Bank and Bank Rakyat handle approvals up to RM1 million within 14 days [1, 2, 3]. As of May 31, 2026, Tekun Nasional had approved RM92 million in financing to over 4,300 entrepreneurs in Melaka through various agencies [1, 2, 3]. Nationwide, the ministry had approved RM5 billion in financing to benefit more than 180,000 enterprises by that date [1, 2, 3].
The government targets disbursing RM15 billion in financing to MSMEs nationwide this year under the PowerUp10k initiative [1, 2, 3]. To improve access to such funds, the ministry launched the Tekun Nasional Portal, a digital platform offering financing information, online applications, training announcements, and office locations across Malaysia [1, 2, 3].
From June 19 to June 21, 2026, the Karnival Hebatkan Perniagaan Malaysia (HPM) was held at Morten Walk, Melaka. The event concluded with the announcement of Tekun Nasional's pilot project for 24-hour approval of financing below RM20,000 [1, 2, 3].
Tekun Nasional aims to officially launch the 24-hour approval pilot program within two to three months from June 21, 2026 [1, 2, 3].
