Steven Sim Chee Keong · Minister KUSKOP

KUSKOP — Entrepreneur & Cooperatives

Accelerating Productivity

Boosting MSME output through worker skills upgrading, automation and digitalisation to raise national competitiveness across all sectors.

Bureaucracy Reduction

Streamlining approvals, digitising processes and eliminating red tape to make business formation fast, simple and frictionless for all Malaysians.

Capital Accessibility

Ensuring every Malaysian MSME and cooperative can access affordable financing through government agencies like TEKUN Nasional, SME Corp and Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia.

Developing Market Access

Expanding domestic and international market reach; building cross-border e-commerce ecosystems and B2B matchmaking for Malaysian enterprises to go global.

RM 4B

Total financing package in first 100 days; RM2B already channelled to local businesses via government agencies.

RM 3B

DEWI Fund — Women Entrepreneur Economy Fund via SME Corp, targeting 300,000 women entrepreneurs nationwide.

RM 500M

TEKUN Nasional Bumiputera fund (federal government agency) raised from RM300M to RM500M.

RM 50M

BARAKAT Ramadan Financing Scheme launched for Bumiputera MSMEs during Ramadan season.

RM 130M

First-ever low-interest scheme for Malaysian Chinese entrepreneurs via SME Corp & Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia; RM90M approved in just 2 months.

RM 50M

Indian Community Entrepreneur Development Scheme raised from RM30M through TEKUN Nasional.

RM 30M

BERKAT Chinese New Year scheme for Chinese-owned micro enterprises via SME Corp.

10-Point

Action plan to strengthen commercial bank cooperation with government agencies to boost MSME credit access nationwide.

TEKUN Nasional

Federal government agency providing micro-financing to Bumiputera and Indian entrepreneurs. Fund raised from RM300M to RM500M under Steven Sim.

RM 500M

SME Corp Malaysia

Government agency under KUSKOP coordinating SME development. Manages DEWI Fund (RM3B for women), BERKAT scheme (RM30M) and Chinese entrepreneur financing.

RM 3B+ DEWI

Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia

Government microcredit agency providing financing to low-income households and micro-entrepreneurs. Part of the Chinese entrepreneur scheme disbursing RM130M in new funds.

RM 130M Scheme

SME Bank

Development financial institution under the Ministry of Finance supporting SME growth. Part of the 10-point bank cooperation plan under PowerUp10k initiative.

PowerUp10k

INSKEN

Institut Keusahawanan Negara — national entrepreneurship institute focused on "Growing Tomorrow's Entrepreneurs" through training, mentoring and capability-building programmes.

Training Hub

Bank Rakyat

Cooperative bank and key financing partner in the PowerUp10k initiative. Committed to the 10-point action plan alongside SME Bank and TEKUN to support MSMEs nationwide.

Cooperative Partner

KESUMA Legacy — Minister of Human Resources (2023–2025)

Minimum Wage Raised

National minimum wage raised to RM1,700/month. Median monthly salary surpassed RM3,000 for the first time in Malaysia's history.

RM 1,700

Progressive Wage Policy

Over 32,000 workers enrolled in 2025, boosting median starting salaries by up to 16%. First nationwide policy to link wages to skills progression.

32,000+ Workers

LINDUNG 24 JAM

Historic PERKESO bill extending social security to 24 hours. 18 years in the making — over 10 million workers now protected beyond office hours for the first time.

10M+ Workers

Record Low Unemployment

Unemployment rate fell to its lowest level in a decade. Record increase in the formation of new trade unions across Malaysia's workforce.

Decade Low

Migrant Worker Rights

Strengthened migrant workers' rights including 24-hour wage protection. Court ruled employers must pay wages from the moment workers arrive in Malaysia.

10M+ Migrant Workers

PERKESO 10 Major Reforms

10 major reforms implemented over two years to strengthen social protection for all contributors, including gig workers and foreign workers nationwide.

10 Reforms

ILO Convention C155

Successfully ratified ILO Convention C155 on Occupational Safety and Health, enforcing OSH laws to global best practices across Malaysian workplaces.

Global Standard

Sabah & Sarawak Labour Ordinance

For the first time in 20 years, both Sabah and Sarawak Labour Ordinances were amended to ensure fairer worker rights nationwide, bridging a long-standing gap.

20-Year First

Malaysian Industrial Court

Strengthened the Malaysian Industrial Court to ensure fair and timely resolution of labour disputes, protecting both workers and employers under rule of law.

Strengthened

No Tolerance for Wage Theft

Zero tolerance policy for employers withholding wages. Shah Alam High Court ruling upheld KESUMA's stance, ordering employer to compensate 93 migrant workers.

Zero Tolerance

Gig Worker EIS Expansion

Championed expansion of Employment Insurance System to gig and platform-based workers, future-proofing social protection in Malaysia's evolving digital economy.

Gig Economy

ASEAN Year of Skills 2025

Malaysia chaired AYOS 2025 under ASEAN Chairmanship, uniting 10 governments with the ILO. Concluded with ASEAN Joint Statement on Skills Development for Future Workforce.

10 ASEAN Nations

TVET Transformation

Amended the National Skills Development Act and Skills Development Fund Act to introduce the Malaysian Modular Skills Certificate and Malaysian Expert Certificate.

2 New Certs

TalentCorp Think Tank

Mandated TalentCorp as KESUMA's strategic think tank for policy development, workforce intelligence and AI & green economy impact studies on Malaysia's labour market.

Strategic Think Tank

Future Skills Talent Council

Launched FSTC for the E&E sector with 15 industry leaders and 13 state training boards. Produced AI, digital and green economy workforce impact report for Malaysia.

15 Industry Leaders

MYFutureJobs & Career Fair

Organised the National Human Capital Conference & Expo (NHCCE 2025) with 3,000 delegates, 300 exhibitors and MYFutureJobs Career Fair to connect Malaysians with quality employment.

3,000 Delegates

35% Skilled Workforce Target

Leading Malaysia's ambitious target of achieving a 35% skilled workforce by 2030, investing in upskilling workers to transition to higher-skilled, better-paying roles.

By 2030

AI & Green Economy Report

Commissioned Malaysia's first comprehensive impact study on how AI, digitalisation and green economy will reshape the workforce — a reference for policymakers and industry.

First of Its Kind

Published Works

Hang Tuah: Adiwira Bangsa

A contemporary socio-political critique of the Malay classic Hikayat Hang Tuah, exploring nationalism, loyalty and the modern Malaysian identity.

2021

A New Malaysia

Essays and reflections on political reform, governance and the path toward a more inclusive and equitable Malaysia for all citizens.

2018

Being Malaysian

A collection of reflections on identity, belonging and what it truly means to be Malaysian in a plural and rapidly changing society.

2016

The Audacity to Think

Political commentary and opinion essays spanning socioeconomic policy, worker rights and the future of Malaysian democracy and civil society.

2014

Dalam Salju Ada Bunga

An anthology of Malay poetry — demonstrating Steven Sim's deep engagement with Malay language, literature and the cultural fabric of Malaysia.

Poetry

Profile & Career Journey

Steven Sim Chee Keong · 沈志強

Minister · KUSKOP · DAP

Born

13 May 1982 · Bukit Mertajam, Penang

Education

SK Stowell · Bukit Mertajam High School

Degree

BSc Computer Science, Universiti Malaya (2004)

Masters

MSc Sustainable Development, Sunway University (2020)

Party

DAP · Deputy Sec-Gen (Mar 2025)

Penang

DAP State Chairman, Penang (2024–2027)

Books

5 published works · poetry, politics, history

Web

stevensim.net

Steven Sim Chee Keong (沈志強) is one of Malaysia's most dynamic cabinet ministers, combining a rare background in computer science, sustainable development and community-led politics. Born and raised in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, he has served his constituency since 2013 and is now in his third term as Member of Parliament.

Under PM Anwar's Unity Government, he has served across three major portfolios — rising from Deputy Finance Minister, to Minister of Human Resources (KESUMA), to his current role as Minister of Entrepreneur & Cooperatives Development (KUSKOP). At 43, he is one of the youngest and most experienced cabinet ministers. He is also a prolific writer, having authored five books spanning Malay literature, political history, and national identity.

Career Timeline

2008

Joined Penang state government; appointed to Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP)

2011

Served as Executive Secretary, Network of Social Democracy in Asia (regional political network)

2013

Elected Member of Parliament for Bukit Mertajam — first term

2018–2020

Deputy Minister of Youth & Sports, PH Government under PM Mahathir and Minister Syed Saddiq

2022

Elected into DAP Central Executive Committee (CEC); appointed National Organising Secretary

2022–2023

Deputy Minister of Finance II, Unity Government under PM Anwar Ibrahim

Dec 2023

Appointed Minister of Human Resources (KESUMA) — landmark 2-year tenure of labour reforms

Sep 2024

Appointed Penang DAP State Chairman for 2024–2027 term

Dec 2025

Appointed Minister of Entrepreneur & Cooperatives Development (KUSKOP) in cabinet reshuffle

Mar 2025

Elected DAP Deputy Secretary-General at national party congress