6TH MALAYSIA INDUSTRY AWARDS (MINDA)
DRAWS 900 BUSINESS LEADERS AT MALAYSIA
INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND EXHIBITION CENTRE
(MITEC)
RALLYING ENTREPRENEURS TO PERSEVERE AMID ECONOMIC
CHALLENGES
Kuala Lumpur, 7th October 2026 —
A Prestigious gala graced by TYT Yang di-Pertua Negeri Melaka together with Minister of Entrepreneur, Development and Cooperatives, YB Tuan Steven Sim Chee Keong and Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry YB Tuan Sim Tze Tzin. This annual event as usual focuses on spotlighting enterprise resilience, innovation, and the urgent need to support business owners navigating today's shifting market.
The Federation of Malaysian Business Associations (FMBA) successfully convened the 6th
Edition of the Malaysia Industry Awards (MINDA) at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC).
The landmark gathering brought together more than 900 entrepreneurs, industry captains, diplomats, and trade association leaders.
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2026 has been a tough year for the Business Owners. “The 36 Awards Winners has really
surpassed the expectations and they truly deserve the recognition. Congratulations to all the Winners,” said the Organizing Chairperson of MINDA 2026 Mr Sze Kok Hoong.
Confronting Real-World Headwinds: The Plight and Grit of Entrepreneurs
The 6th Edition of MINDA arrived at a crucial juncture. Beyond celebration, the gala served as a
candid forum addressing the mounting pressures weighing on business today:
Rising Operational & Compliance Costs:
From inflationary pressures and global supply chain recalibrations to fluctuating energy and
logistics expenses, businesses—especially SMEs—are operating on razor-thin margins.
Tightening Labor Dynamics:
Evolving workforce expectations, talent shortages in specialized trades, and rising wage structures require businesses to continually re-evaluate retention and operational efficiency.
Rapid Technological
Disruption:
The accelerated push toward artificial intelligence, automation, and ESG compliance demand
capital investments that place immense strain on day-to-day cash flows.
FMBA leadership underscored that despite these headwinds, entrepreneurs remain the
indispensable engine of Malaysia's economy. The assembly issued a collective call for industry
players to look past short-term volatility, press forward, and capitalize on emerging regional
opportunities within ASEAN, green technologies, and digital commerce.
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Pressing Forward and Honoring the Builders of the Economy
The Chairman of FMBA Kolonel Bersekutu (PA) Dato’ Seri Dr Abdul Malik in his address,
emphasized the strategic balance between enterprise viability and workforce upskilling. He noted
that sustainable business growth and fair, productive labor policies go hand in hand, reinforcing
the government's commitment to supporting employers as they upgrade workforce capabilities
and embrace progressive workplace standards.
The MINDA Awards underscored that consistent, credible recognition is essential to keeping the
entrepreneurial spirit alive. Recognizing the courage of business owners who risk capital, create jobs, and anchor community livelihoods provides the vital encouragement needed to drive longterm business confidence.
Recipients were evaluated on operational resilience, corporate governance, fiscal agility, and
socioeconomic impact across key categories, including:
• Industry Outstanding Awards
• Industry Excellence Awards
• Industry Innovation Awards
• Lifetime Achievement Awards
• Global Excellence Awards
• Inspiration Achievement Awards
The evening concluded with FMBA reaffirming its mission to bridge active dialogue between
policymakers and the private sector, ensuring practical business concerns are addressed while
equipping Malaysian enterprises to navigate economic uncertainty with grit and ambition.
About Federation of Malaysian Business Associations (FMBA)
The Federation of Malaysian Business Associations (FMBA) provides a unified, collective voice for Malaysia's commercial fraternity. Uniting over 200 business associations and chambers representing more than 500,000 enterprises nationwide, FMBA actively engages federal ministries, drives strategic industry dialogues, and fosters long-term economic competitiveness.
#fmba #minda #hueyhiew #thesocialisters
