Kota Kinabalu: Kadamaian Assemblyman Datuk Ewon Benedick lauded the State’s RM420,000 allocation for the Sabah Department of Industrial Development and Research.
He said the initiative towards investment, promotion, trade and seminar expenses shows the Sabah Government’s commitment in attracting investments and propelling the small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
The Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (Kuskop) stressed that a coordination committee should be formed for the development of entrepreneurship between Sabah Government and the federal Government.
“There are so many agencies involved in entrepreneurship. Kuskop alone has 66 agencies involved in entrepreneurship development with 10 directly under the Ministry.
“A coordination committee will make it easier for the Sabah government to work out how federal agencies provide services and funding needed according to State’s direction.
“It is appropriate that entrepreneurship development initiative is led by the State while federal provides support in terms of funding, training, capacity building, promotion, including the development of business premises but it must be led by the State Government,” he said.
Ewon opined that the committee be chaired by the Chief Minister or any member of the Cabinet and that all federal government agencies should comply.
Meanwhile, Ewon who is Penamapng Member of Parliament reiterated that Native Customary Rights (NCR) areas located in forest reserves of Sabah Park be returned to the community for safekeeping with the support of government through the Sabah Forestry Department.
He gave Kg Melangkap in Kota Belud which is included in the Wario Forest Reserve gazetted in 2016 and Kampung Kibunut in Penampang as examples.
“I suggest that it be handed over to the residents and a new category can be created as also previously stated by the Chief Minister.
“I am consistent in this proposal…a board of trustees should be established to preserve the lands,” he said in his debate speech during the State Assembly sitting on Tuesday.
Ewon also suggested a proper centre for the NGO Gibbon Rehabilitation Project in Kg Kiau, Kadamaian.
“I hope they can be provided with funding next year, because the government, NGOs and communities are equally responsible in ensuring that endangered wildlife is preserved,” he said.
