SAMENTA’s Theophilus Wong on BFM 89.9: What Sabah and Sarawak SMEs Need to Scale
Kuala Lumpur, 15 September 2026 — SAMENTA Sarawak State Chairman and National Deputy Treasurer Theophilus Wong went on air with BFM 89.9 to discuss the state of small and medium enterprises in East Malaysia, and what it actually takes to build and scale a business in Sabah and Sarawak.
The episode, “Sabah and Sarawak: What SMEs Need to Scale”, aired on BFM 89.9’s Enterprise Biz Bytes ahead of Malaysia Day, with presenter Elaine Boey. It looked at how the East Malaysian experience differs from Peninsular Malaysia, the challenges holding businesses back from scaling, and where the next growth opportunities lie.
East Malaysia’s potential
Malaysian SMEs are often discussed as one broad group, but the operating realities in Sabah and Sarawak are distinct — from smaller domestic markets and longer supply chains to the infrastructure and logistics gaps that shape costs and market reach.
Wong has argued that East Malaysia has far more to contribute to national growth than it does today, and that closing that gap means a fairer spread of opportunity and economic development across the country.
“East Malaysia, too, has much more potential to contribute to the next chapter of our nation’s growth,” he said.
The role of SMEs — and of everyone else
Reflecting on Malaysia Day, Wong stressed that the country’s diversity should be a source of strength rather than division, and that nation building is not the work of government alone.
“Malaysia is built on diversity. Different cultures, races, religions, backgrounds and regions, yet one nation. This diversity should never divide us. It should be one of our greatest strengths,” he said.
“There is still much work to be done. But nation building has never been the responsibility of government alone. Businesses, communities and every Malaysian have a role to play.”
He also urged that SMEs — the entrepreneurs, family businesses and small companies creating jobs and supporting communities every day — not be forgotten in the work of building the economy.
A fairer distribution of growth
Setting out his hopes for the country, Wong called for greater inclusiveness and for fairness in the distribution of opportunities and economic development nationwide.
“May we learn to see beyond race, religion, region and differences. May we compete less against one another, and work more with one another. May progress reach not only some parts of Malaysia, but every part of Malaysia,” he said.
“Different roots. Different stories. One Malaysia. Let us build it together — with fairness, respect and a shared hope for a better future.”
SAMENTA’s Theophilus Wong on BFM 89.9: What Sabah and Sarawak SMEs Need to Scale
Kuala Lumpur, 15 September 2026 — SAMENTA Sarawak State Chairman and National Deputy Treasurer Theophilus Wong went on air with BFM 89.9 to discuss the state of small and medium enterprises in East Malaysia, and what it actually takes to build and scale a business in Sabah and Sarawak.
The episode, “Sabah and Sarawak: What SMEs Need to Scale”, aired on BFM 89.9’s Enterprise Biz Bytes ahead of Malaysia Day, with presenter Elaine Boey. It looked at how the East Malaysian experience differs from Peninsular Malaysia, the challenges holding businesses back from scaling, and where the next growth opportunities lie.
East Malaysia’s potential
Malaysian SMEs are often discussed as one broad group, but the operating realities in Sabah and Sarawak are distinct — from smaller domestic markets and longer supply chains to the infrastructure and logistics gaps that shape costs and market reach.
Wong has argued that East Malaysia has far more to contribute to national growth than it does today, and that closing that gap means a fairer spread of opportunity and economic development across the country.
“East Malaysia, too, has much more potential to contribute to the next chapter of our nation’s growth,” he said.
The role of SMEs — and of everyone else
Reflecting on Malaysia Day, Wong stressed that the country’s diversity should be a source of strength rather than division, and that nation building is not the work of government alone.
“Malaysia is built on diversity. Different cultures, races, religions, backgrounds and regions, yet one nation. This diversity should never divide us. It should be one of our greatest strengths,” he said.
“There is still much work to be done. But nation building has never been the responsibility of government alone. Businesses, communities and every Malaysian have a role to play.”
He also urged that SMEs — the entrepreneurs, family businesses and small companies creating jobs and supporting communities every day — not be forgotten in the work of building the economy.
A fairer distribution of growth
Setting out his hopes for the country, Wong called for greater inclusiveness and for fairness in the distribution of opportunities and economic development nationwide.
“May we learn to see beyond race, religion, region and differences. May we compete less against one another, and work more with one another. May progress reach not only some parts of Malaysia, but every part of Malaysia,” he said.
“Different roots. Different stories. One Malaysia. Let us build it together — with fairness, respect and a shared hope for a better future.”
Listen
Listen to “Sabah and Sarawak: What SMEs Need to Scale” on BFM 89.9 →
SAMENTA — the first association of small and medium enterprises in Malaysia — has served Malaysian SMEs since 1986.
Sources
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