Sabah Electricity Becomes First Sabah-Based Company to Join KUSKOP Vendor Development Programme
KOTA KINABALU, Malaysia, Oct 23, 2025 — Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) has become the first company from Sabah to be appointed as an anchor under the Vendor Development Programme (PPV) of the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP), in a move aimed at expanding Bumiputera participation in Malaysia’s energy sector supply chain.
Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Datuk Ewon Benedick said the appointment enables Sabah Electricity to develop local vendor companies, which will be eligible to receive up to RM1.2 million in support grants each for capacity-building, innovation and commercialisation initiatives.
“Sabah Electricity is now the 39th anchor company under the PPV. This initiative reflects KUSKOP’s ‘Look East Within the Nation’ policy, which I introduced to strengthen entrepreneurial development in Sabah and Sarawak,” Ewon told reporters after launching the Sabah Electricity Vendor Day 2025 at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC).
He added that the ministry is currently in advanced discussions with Sarawak Energy, which is expected to become the 40th anchor company and the first from Sarawak to join the programme.
Under the memorandum of understanding, Bumiputera vendors registered with Sabah Electricity will have access to technical training, entrepreneurship advisory services, capacity-building grants, and commercialisation funding through the Vendor Capacity Development Programme (PPKV) and the Vendor Research and Commercialisation Grant (GPPV).
According to Ewon, during the current 12th Malaysia Plan, seven Bumiputera companies from Sabah have already benefited from these grants as vendors to five existing anchor companies.
For the upcoming 13th Malaysia Plan, KUSKOP is targeting 120 Bumiputera vendor companies nationwide, including 15 companies from Sabah, to benefit from the PPV grant schemes.
Ewon further noted that Sabah Electricity will be entitled to a double deduction tax incentive, aimed at encouraging anchor companies to increase domestic procurement and vendor development efforts.
“KUSKOP remains committed to empowering Sabah and Sarawak as new growth engines in Malaysia’s economy, ensuring that local entrepreneurs are not only resilient but also competitive at national and regional levels,” he said.
The MoU signing ceremony was attended by KUSKOP Secretary-General Dato’ Sri Khairul Dzaimee Daud, Sabah Electricity Chairperson Saadiah Aziz, and senior officials from the ministry and the energy sector.
