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Syarikat Jaminan Pembiayaan Perniagaan Berhad (SJPP) is giving the familiar Malaysian trait of being kepoh a more positive meaning through its 2026 National Day and Malaysia Day initiative, Kisah 'Kepoh Bisnes'
The initiative follows a young entrepreneur whose neighbours' constant curiosity about her business turns out to be more than just kepoh behaviour.
The story follows a young entrepreneur whose business journey comes with a few unexpected challenges
The story is brought to life through by Aishah Azman, who plays Aishah, a young entrepreneur running a homestay business.
As her business grows, Aishah finds herself dealing with the everyday challenges that can come with running a business, from double bookings and system failures to unhappy guests, and unsolicited advice from her family. She also has two famously kepoh neighbours who are always keeping tabs on what is happening with her business. But when Aishah is nearly tricked into taking an illegitimate business loan, those same neighbours step in to help.
They introduce her to SJPP and the financing support available through its guarantee schemes, helping her find a more trusted route as she works towards growing her business.
What looks like kepoh can sometimes be a way of showing care
While being kepoh is often associated with being overly curious about someone else's life, Kisah 'Kepoh Bisnes' takes a more positive look at the familiar Malaysian trait.
In Aishah's story, the questions and unsolicited advice from the people around her come from a genuine interest in how she is doing.
The film shows how that curiosity can also mean being there when someone needs help, celebrating their successes and offering support when things do not go according to plan.
This makes up part of the theme 'Malaysia Kita, Impian Bersama', which highlights how Malaysians can support one another as they work towards their respective dreams.
SJPP highlights the importance of having the right support when growing a business
For entrepreneurs, having people who believe in their ideas can be just as meaningful as having access to the right resources.
Juanita Rusmini Abdul Jalil, Principal Officer of SJPP, said Kisah 'Kepoh Bisnes' celebrates the Malaysian way of showing care by taking an interest, getting involved, and supporting one another's dreams.
She added that the theme 'Malaysia Kita, Impian Bersama' reflects SJPP's belief that when Malaysians from different backgrounds and communities support one another, it can create greater opportunities, stronger businesses, and a brighter future for everyone.
SJPP supports viable small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through government guarantee schemes that help facilitate access to financing via participating financial institutions.
The film was launched on 14 August as part of SJPP's National Day and Malaysia Day initiative
Social contests will also take place during the period, giving Malaysians the opportunity to share their own stories of care, and support while standing a chance to win prizes.
Ultimately, Kisah 'Kepoh Bisnes' hopes to show that being kepoh is not always about wanting to know everyone's business. Sometimes, it can simply be another way of saying, "I care about what happens to you."
Watch the full Kisah 'Kepoh Bisnes' film below:
