GLCs, GLICs Commit RM50 Billion Annually to Strengthen Bumiputera Economic Development
PUTRAJAYA: Government-linked companies (GLCs), government-linked investment companies (GLICs) and national energy company Petronas will continue strengthening Malaysia’s Bumiputera economic agenda through annual commitments valued at approximately RM50 billion, reinforcing long-term efforts to expand Bumiputera participation across key sectors of the economy.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the commitment was among the key outcomes of the Bumiputera Economic Council meeting and was subsequently presented during the Cabinet meeting as part of the government’s broader institutional economic development agenda.
According to Fahmi, the annual contribution extends well beyond direct corporate investments and includes vendor development programmes, talent cultivation, entrepreneurship initiatives, workforce development and community empowerment projects designed to build a stronger Bumiputera business ecosystem.
He said the initiative reflects the government’s continued emphasis on creating sustainable economic opportunities while strengthening the competitiveness of Bumiputera-owned enterprises.
Speaking during a post-Cabinet media briefing, Fahmi revealed that four majority Bumiputera-owned companies are currently on track to be listed on Bursa Malaysia this year.
The government has also established a new target of producing 10 additional Bumiputera-listed companies during the 2026-2027 period, exceeding the total number of listings achieved over the previous five years.
To accelerate that objective, GLICs have jointly introduced the 10 Bumiputera Champions Programme, aimed at identifying high-potential companies and providing comprehensive support to help them grow into businesses valued at RM500 million each by 2028.
The programme combines strategic mentoring, financing support, corporate advisory services and business networking opportunities to strengthen participating companies and prepare them for public listing.
At the same time, GLICs have committed to investing RM2 billion directly into Bumiputera-owned companies during 2026, providing additional capital to accelerate expansion and strengthen long-term business sustainability.
Fahmi added that a new Bumiputera vendor development guideline has also been introduced to improve the effectiveness of vendor programmes while enhancing business capabilities and creating a more structured development pathway for local suppliers.
The government expects the revised framework to strengthen Bumiputera participation in strategic national supply chains and improve competitiveness across multiple industries.
Separately, Fahmi announced that Malaysia’s federal ports continued to record encouraging operational performance during the first quarter of the year.
Container handling increased 8.1 per cent year-on-year to 8,002,113 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), supported largely by stronger transshipment activity as Malaysia continues to consolidate its position as one of Southeast Asia’s leading maritime logistics hubs.
Transshipment volumes expanded by 9.96 per cent, while conventional cargo handling rose 2.9 per cent, driven by an 8.93 per cent increase in general cargo and a 3.55 per cent improvement in dry bulk cargo movements.
Fahmi said the latest figures demonstrate the resilience of Malaysia’s port sector despite continuing geopolitical uncertainties affecting global shipping routes and international supply chains.
He added that sustained investment in logistics infrastructure, together with Malaysia’s strategic location and efficient port operations, continues to strengthen the country’s competitiveness as a regional trade and maritime gateway.
