Kota Kinabalu: The implementation of Yayasan Sabah Group’s income-generating handicraft programme through the Pusat Kraftangan Sabah (PKS) will substantiate the State Government’s efforts to eradicate poverty in rural areas.
Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Abidin bin Madingkir, said during the Appreciation and Closing Ceremony of the Sabah Natives Special Programme (PKAN), Pusat Kraftangan Sabah 2023 Session at the Sabah International Convention Centre, here, Monday.
Abidin said that through funds from the Prime Minister’s Department’s, Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU JPM), Yayasan Sabah Group (YSG) through PKS had implemented two core programmes, namely the Rural Integrated Craft Heritage Programme (Rich) and the Raw Material Planting Programme (PPBM) - Bamboo and Rattan.
Regarding the programmes, Abidin explained, “The Rich programme, implemented through Pusat Kraftangan Sabah and Yayasan Sabah Group’s Zone Offices, focuses on the growth and reinforcement of entrepreneurship.
Meanwhile, PPBM involved 200 acres of land in the Yayasan Sabah Concession Area in Sook district, with 100 local community members to ensure that the bamboo and rattan resources are long-term sustainable for handicraft use.
“The programme aligns with the Sabah State Government’s commitment through the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Development Plan to empower the people of Sabah to lead in entrepreneurship.
“I am confident that the programme will encourage participants to work hard, be self-sufficient and succeed in overcoming their respective economic constraints,” he said.
“Various programmes such as expert service guidance programme, soft skills training and downstream product programme have been carried out to provide added value to aspiring PKS entrepreneurs, enabling them to distinguish themselves in their respective domains and enhance the competitiveness of the target group in the entrepreneurship sector,” added Abidin.
“This year, Yayasan Sabah Group, through PKS, successfully trained 160 participants, consisting of 135 people for the Rich programme and 25 people for PPBM through PKAN, which was carried out for nine months, beginning on March I and ending on Nov 30, 2023,” he explained.
“Today marks another milestone as seven Rich programme participants obtained the Malaysian Skills Certification (SKM) Level 2 through the Recognition of Prior Achievement (PPT) in Furniture Production Operation,” he said.
Abidin commended the endeavours of YSG through PKS, in establishing ongoing partnerships with agencies that specialise in assisting entrepreneurs under PKS, enabling them to compete effectively with established industry players.
“The collaborative efforts of YSG through PKS with government and private agencies such as Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB), Sirim Berhad Packaging and Security Design Centre, Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Pusat Ekonomi Digital (PEDi) Keningau, Geomatika College Keningau, Fashion Academy, Bam & Boo Enterprise and Orbena Bamboo will create a significant impact on enhancing the local communities economy and conserving traditional knowledge and handicrafts,” he added.
Abidin asserted that entrepreneurship is a complex journey with various challenges.
He urged the entrepreneurs to fully leverage the programmes provided and cultivate a strong sense of commitment and discipline within themselves.
“With the introduction of pilot projects and collaborations with specialised agencies, YSG through PKS, will fuel the aspiring artisans with a renewed sense of purpose and drive. Thus, I am confident that Sabah’s handicraft industry will evolve beyond traditional use and emerge as a significant commodity in the future,” he said.
In line with the State Government’s commitment through the SMJ Development Plan, YSG through PKS, will continue to produce competitive human capital in the handicraft manufacturing sector to improve the socioeconomic status of Sabah’s rural communities.
