TELUPID, SABAH. Malaysia, Sept 21, 2025 – The MADANI government continues to prioritize the development of Tamu Desa premises to strengthen the rural entrepreneurship ecosystem, said Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, Datuk Ewon Benedick.
He stated that the government, through the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP), began implementing the Tamu Desa Premises Development Program in Sabah and Sarawak since 2024. “One of the newly built Tamu Desa premises in Sabah is in Telupid, which will undoubtedly add value to the entrepreneurial facilities in this district,” he added.
For Phase 1 of 2024, 36 projects in Sabah and 13 in Sarawak were completed at a cost of RM8.69 million, benefiting 1,958 tamu traders. Phase 2 involved 25 projects in Sabah (RM4.84 million) and 26 in Sarawak (RM5.15 million), benefiting 1,964 traders.
Ewon made these remarks while officiating the Tamu Desa Pekan Telupid here today. He noted that the success of both phases has encouraged the government to proceed with the Phase 3 Tamu Desa Premises Development Project in 2025, with an allocation of RM10 million, including for the Telupid district.
“Previously, some tamu premises were dilapidated and lacked basic facilities. This initiative aims to provide more comfortable premises for traders and visitors,” he explained.
He hoped the Telupid District Entrepreneurs and Traders Association would actively oversee the operations of Tamu Desa Pekan Telupid.
Regarding the Tamu Entrepreneur Financing Scheme (SPUT) under TEKUN Nasional, Ewon reported that since its introduction in 2023 until August 2025, RM9.7 million has been disbursed to entrepreneurs in Sabah. “This financing has benefited 2,274 entrepreneurs, particularly small traders active in tamu markets across Sabah,” he said.
“Tamu serves as an economic institution for the Kadazan Dusun and other indigenous communities in Sabah, not just a trading space but also a venue for meetings, idea exchange, and community identity reinforcement,” he added. He emphasized that TEKUN’s approach aligns with the community-based economy aspiration, supporting micro-entrepreneurs in rural areas with capital to grow their businesses.
The event also featured the MADANI Cooperatives and Entrepreneurs Sale (JMKU), offering essential goods at discounts of up to 30 percent. To date, 56 JMKU series have benefited 68,141 households, with sales totaling RM2.04 million this year through 50 appointed cooperative operators.
Also present were KUSKOP Secretary-General Dato’ Sri Khairul Dzaimee Daud, Secretary of the Cooperative, Hawker, and Small Trader Development Division Azizul Alias, Telupid District Officer Celestine Jetony, and Telupid District Entrepreneurs and Traders Association Chairman Felix Joseph Saang.