PENAMPANG, SABAH, MALAYSIA January 3, 2026 – The construction of Village Tamu Premises is clear proof of the government’s commitment to empowering micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), especially at the village level, said Sabah’s Deputy Chief Minister III, who is also the Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport, Datuk Ewon Benedick.
He said this during the official opening of the Village Tamu Premises in Kampung Ramayah, at the village’s main hall today, in conjunction with the 2026 Christmas and New Year celebrations.
According to Ewon, who is also the Member of Parliament for Penampang, the Kg. Ramayah Village Tamu Premises is one of the projects implemented by the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development (KUSKOP) last year, following requests from village leaders during his tenure leading the ministry.
“This facility is now held every Saturday, managed by the Kampung Ramayah Neighbourhood Committee (KRT), and has been fully utilised by local small entrepreneurs for sales activities,” he told reporters.
He added that this development proves that the facilities provided by the government are truly aligned with the actual needs of micro and small entrepreneurs in rural areas.
As the new Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport Sabah (MINDET), Ewon emphasised that his ministry’s main focus is to empower MSMEs as one of the key drivers of the state’s economy.
He also touched on the transport portfolio now under his ministry, which focuses on logistics aspects involving three agencies previously under the Sabah Ministry of Public Works: the Sabah Ports Board, the Sabah State Railway Department, and the Sabah Jetties Department, which are now placed under his ministry.
In addition, he serves as an Exco member for several federal agencies related to transport.
Also present at the event were Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department Datuk Ceasar Mandela Malakun, Moyog State Assemblyman Datuk Donald Peter Mojuntin, Penampang District Council President Noemi Dyena John, and local leaders.
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