KUCHING: Unit Peneraju Agenda Bumiputera (TERAJU) has recorded significant achievements in Sarawak through the implementation of various entrepreneur development initiatives since 2011, with total funding reaching hundreds of millions of ringgit and thousands of jobs created.
Deputy Minister of Economy Datuk Indera Mohd Shahar Abdullah said that since 2011, a total of 92 companies in Sarawak have been nurtured under the TERAS Programme, with support financing amounting to RM76 million.
“This includes critical sectors such as engineering, manufacturing, construction as well as oil and gas.
“Since 2012, the Facilitation Fund (FF) Programme has approved RM123 million to support 69 projects involving 52 local companies, creating approximately 4,700 job opportunities for the people of the state,” he said when speaking at the TERAJU Aspirasi Outreach 2026 programme at TEGAS Digital Village here today (Apr 13).
He added that under the Bumiputera Entrepreneur Development Fund (DPUB), RM54 million has been allocated since 2015 for 11 projects across 64 locations in Sarawak, benefiting 621 participants through collaboration with various agencies, including higher learning institutions and state development agencies.
Meanwhile, under the Bumiputera Prosperity Fund (DKB) introduced in the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) since 2021, a total of RM23 million has been approved for 25 companies, contributing to the creation of 606 new jobs.
Shahar said that in the more recent period from 2024 to 2026, TERAJU has also approved RM85 million in financing for 64 companies in Sarawak through initiatives such as the Bumiputera Economic Community Fund (BECF) and the Islamic Working Capital Financing Programme (i-WCPF).
“This is to support cash flow sustainability and business expansion.
“The success is not merely reflected in numbers, as the Sustainable Marketing (SMART) Community programme under DPUB Sarawak 2020 has penetrated international markets including the United States, Japan, Saudi Arabia and China, generating revenue of up to RM5.1 million,” he said.
However, he acknowledged that despite these achievements, challenges remain. Although Bumiputera make up a large proportion of Sarawak’s population, he said their participation in the business sector has yet to match its full potential.
Of more than 83,000 registered micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), Shahar said only a small portion are Bumiputera-owned.
“This is not just a statistic, but a clear signal that there is still much to be improved — from access to financing and scalability to mastery of value chains in high-value sectors.
“Therefore, increasing Bumiputera participation in high-growth and high-value sectors is crucial, not only to ensure economic balance but also to strengthen sustainable value creation within the state economy,” he added.
