4 November 2025 • Kota Kinabalu • Malaysian Tribune
Kota Kinabalu: A total of 40,797 micro, small, and medium enterprise (PMKS) entrepreneurs and cooperatives in Sabah have received financing amounting to RM770.1 million this year, stated Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick. Various financing schemes and entrepreneurial programs are provided by the Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Ministry (KUSKOP) to enhance the entrepreneurial ecosystem and cooperative movement in Sabah.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ewon highlighted schemes such as the ‘Usahawan Tamu dan Usahawan Kraf’ financing scheme under TEKUN Nasional, the Bumiputera Enterprise Enhancement Programme (BEEP Plus) by SME Corp, and the Borneo Zone Bizclinic Consultation Session by the National Entrepreneurship Institute (INSKEN). The Minister also mentioned the ministry’s introduction of the Look East Policy at the ministry level, which places additional focus on Sabah and Sarawak without affecting the nationwide implementation of existing programs.
During a session at the Dewan Rakyat, Ewon responded to a query from Datuk Jonathan Yasin (GRS-Ranau) concerning the government’s steps to foster the development of more entrepreneurs and cooperatives in Sabah. He mentioned the implementation of the Tamu Desa Premises Development Project, which aims to provide organized business facilities, establish PMKS Hubs, and organize carnivals and entrepreneurship expositions in the region.
Furthermore, Ewon noted that KUSKOP-affiliated agencies such as TEKUN Nasional, Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (PERNAS), Bank Rakyat, INSKEN, and the Malaysian Cooperative Commission (SKM) are expanding their presence in Sabah by opening new branches and service facilities to assist local entrepreneurs and cooperatives.
Ewon also addressed a question from Roy Angau Gingkoi (GPS-Lubok Antu) regarding the success of Youth Cooperatives and Community Tourism Cooperatives. He revealed that as of December 31 of the previous year, 3,072 cooperatives from the youth group had been registered by SKM, with 2.4 million members and a turnover of RM848 million, along with RM264 million in share capital.
