Photo caption – Datuk Dexter speaking during the session
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah businesses looking to expand into national and regional markets need more than access to financing.
Strong management, capable teams and a clear business strategy are equally important in building sustainable growth and staying competitive.
Kim Teck Cheong Consolidated Berhad (KTC) Executive Director, Federation of Public Listed Companies Berhad (FPLC) Executive Committee member and Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) Sabah President Datuk Dexter Lau shared this view at Kembara Borneo 2026 – Sabah on October 14.
Organised by the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) and Capital Markets Malaysia (CMM), the event brought together business leaders and capital market participants to discuss growth opportunities and financing options for local enterprises.
Drawing on KTC’s experience in growing from a Sabah-based business into a company with a national presence, Dexter shared practical lessons on scaling up and preparing businesses to compete in wider markets.
The panel session, titled Building Sabah’s Next Growth Champions: Capital, Scale and Market Access, was moderated by Capital Market Advisory Committee (CMAC) member Tan Sri Andrew Sheng.
The other panellist was Securities Commission Malaysia Managing Director Datin Paduka Azalina Adham.
Dexter cautioned business owners against focusing solely on raising funds or trying to replicate the success of high-profile entrepreneurs.
Every business has its own circumstances, he said, and growth must be built on a realistic plan that takes into account the company’s capabilities and market position.
“You must have a plan,” Dexter said, stressing that businesses should first establish a clear direction and understand what it takes to execute their plans before seeking capital.
A credible business plan, backed by sound fundamentals, can help attract the attention of banks, investors and other potential partners. Rather than chasing funding, businesses should focus on building a proposition that demonstrates their potential and gives investors confidence in their ability to deliver.
Dexter urged entrepreneurs to understand the numbers behind their businesses, from revenue streams and gross profit margins to operating expenses, financing costs and the bottom line. They should also have a clear understanding of their competitors, business networks and the people responsible for driving the company forward.
He highlighted the importance of having a stable and capable workforce as businesses expand. Growth can become difficult to sustain if key employees leave or the management team is unable to keep pace with changing business needs. Such instability can disrupt operations and raise concerns among potential investors.
Investors, he noted, look beyond growth projections and the amount of funding a company hopes to secure. They also want to see consistency in business planning, operations, resources and management. Companies must demonstrate that they can put capital to good use, maintain operational stability and deliver sustainable results.
Reflecting on KTC’s experience in preparing for its public listing, Dexter said the process involved rigorous scrutiny and extensive questioning by the SC.
While the experience was challenging, it pushed the group to examine its business practices, strengthen its leadership and improve the way it managed its operations.
Those demands, he said, ultimately helped KTC become a stronger organisation and laid the groundwork for its continued expansion, including its regional ambitions.
For Dexter, going public is about more than raising funds. The process also prepares a business to operate with greater discipline and accountability, supported by stronger corporate governance and more structured management practices.
He encouraged Sabah entrepreneurs to make the most of platforms such as Kembara Borneo by engaging directly with regulators and capital market professionals, asking questions and seeking advice on how to prepare their businesses for the next stage of growth.
Business owners should use these opportunities to identify gaps in their operations and understand what investors expect before pursuing financing.
Access to guidance and industry networks can help them make better-informed decisions and prepare for the challenges of expansion.
Dexter added that the programme was intended not only to introduce financing options but also to help businesses build the capacity to grow and withstand future competition.
Meanwhile, moderator Tan Sri Andrew Sheng highlighted the importance of networking in business, noting that Sabah companies had opportunities to connect with global markets.
Building relationships across industries and regions, he said, could open doors to new partnerships and commercial opportunities.
Kembara Borneo 2026 – Sabah aims to improve awareness among micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and mid-tier companies (MTCs) of capital market financing opportunities, showcase initiatives that support business growth and competitiveness, and strengthen collaboration among government agencies, investors, financial intermediaries and industry stakeholders.
The discussion highlighted a key message for Sabah businesses: sustainable expansion starts with knowing the business, having a clear plan and building the right team.
With these fundamentals in place, companies will be better positioned to secure financing, expand into new markets and compete beyond Sabah.
