Source : Bernama
SHAH ALAM, Nov 12 – The Tunas Niaga (PROTUNe) 2026 programme, organised by the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS), recorded RM3.12 million in sales this year, well above its RM2 million target.
As reported by Bernama, the result was driven by 1,175 students from 47 secondary schools in Selangor, who took part in a seven-month entrepreneurial activity programme that ran from March 3 to September 30. PKNS group chief executive officer Datuk Mahmud Abbas said the figure is up from RM2.04 million a year earlier.
Students running real companies
Mahmud said the numbers show that secondary school students can succeed in business when given the chance to manage one first-hand. He spoke after officiating the 2026 Selangor State PROTUNe Convention at Dewan Aster, PKNS headquarters in Shah Alam. PKNS Entrepreneur Development Manager Yuzawati Yusof also attended.
“The sales performance recorded by these PROTUNe participants demonstrates the ability of school students to apply real-world entrepreneurial knowledge to business management,” he said. “Success is not measured solely by sales figures. It is also gauged by the experience, skills, and confidence gained by the participants as they manage their respective companies and businesses.”
The programme is run with the Selangor State Education Department and led to the formation of 47 companies. Each company has 25 shareholders, including a five-member board of directors responsible for administration, finance, marketing and production.
Mahmud also praised participants for going beyond marketing. They focused on product development as well, so that their offerings carry commercial value and are ready for the consumer market. “The participants do not just learn theory; they are also required to explore new ideas and translate them into viable business opportunities,” he said.
Awards and products
At the convention he presented awards to recognise the students and schools. There were 11 categories: Best Company, Best Presentation, Best Chief Executive Officer, Best Supervising Teacher, Best Product, Best Retail, Best Service, Best Financial Report, the “Harapan” (Promising/Emerging) Award, Best E-PROTUNe and Best School.
Azrina Sazali, the PROTUNe supervising teacher from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Rantau Panjang, Klang, said her school won Best School for the second consecutive year. She credited the high discipline and commitment of teachers and students. “This was due to the sustained commitment of the team of supervising teachers and company management members. They were willing to dedicate time and energy to ensure that every task was completed according to plan,” she said. Among the products her students highlighted was the “Deko Bag”, made with a decorative technique that uses patterned tissue paper, or “deko patch”.
Training and business sectors
Under teachers’ guidance, participants received theoretical and practical entrepreneurship training covering operational management, product development and marketing planning. They also carried out sales activities in their schools and at the PKNS Entrepreneur Carnival. The businesses covered product development, food and beverage retail, apparel and handicrafts, as well as services such as photography, printing, event management and goods delivery.
Cumulative results since 2009
According to Bernama, PROTUNe has recorded cumulative sales totalling RM34.7 million since 2009. A total of 33,125 students and 2,630 mentor teachers have taken part, and 1,249 companies have been set up. Bernama said this reflects PKNS’s commitment to strengthening Selangor’s entrepreneurial ecosystem through human capital development that is knowledgeable, skilled and competitive.
Mahmud said he hopes the experience will motivate participants to keep improving themselves, develop their potential and move further in entrepreneurship.
This story is based on a report by Bernama (Bernama Business, bernamabiz.com), rewritten by LNA.
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