Pensiangan: Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development, Datuk Ewon Benedick said three Tamu Desa premises would be built in the Pensiangan Parliamentary constituency this year, covering Tulid, Sook and Nabawan areas.
He said last year, the Madani Government, through the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development (Kuskop), had constructed three Tamu Desa premises in the same parliamentary area, two in Sook and one in Nabawan.
“During a one-day working visit to Tulid and Sook, I had the opportunity to visit the existing Tamu stalls in Kg Pulutan, which serves as a location for mothers and young people to sell agricultural products, traditional cakes and other items every Saturday. These stalls were built by the local entrepreneurs in the village.
“After evaluating the suitability of the site, I agreed to approve a fund of RM200,000 to build a new, more comfortable, and organised Tamu Desa premises to replace the existing stalls,” he said.
He also visited the Tamu stalls at Kg Kabatang Baru, Tulid, which were also built by local entrepreneurs. However, the location of these stalls is within the main road reserve area and was found to pose safety risks.
“Together with the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) and the Tamu association, we examined a new, more spacious and safer site for the construction of the Tamu Desa premises in this village,” he said.
Ewon also hoped the premises being built would benefit the entrepreneurs, especially mothers, as well as the visitors.
“I will work to ensure that their dreams come true, taking into account the allocation available under Kuskop,” he said.
Ewon, who is also President of the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko), attended the Aidilfitri Celebration organised by Upko leaders in Tulid and Sook.
Regarding the celebration, he said the large presence of people from various ethnicities and religions reflected a strong spirit of unity.
“I appreciate the togetherness of the people today, and I am confident that this spirit of tolerance, mutual respect and cooperation will continue to be upheld and strengthened,” said Ewon.
In his speech, he also shared various government initiatives, particularly through Kuskop, including additional focus through the Domestic Look East Policy (Kuskop Perspective).
