PENAMPANG: All ethnic groups in Malaysia play a collective role in advancing national development and ensuring tolerance and unity among communities.
Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), which serves as the foundation for the formation of Malaysia, was signed by leaders from various ethnic groups in the country in 1963.
Advertisement“Chinese community leaders also signed the MA63. Therefore, the role and responsibility of the Chinese community are significant in the country’s development, particularly in the economic and entrepreneurial sectors.
“As a nation with a multi-ethnic population, we must complement and cooperate with each other to ensure tolerance, unity and harmony so that we can focus on national development,” Ewon said when officiating the Chinese New Year Festival celebration, organised by the association of Chinese Kapitans in Penampang, on Sunday.
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He said various initiatives have been implemented in Penampang since he was elected as its Member of Parliament in November 2022.
Advertisement“Upon being elected as the Penampang MP, I developed the Penampang Development Master Plan in collaboration with the Sabah Institute for Development Studies (IDS), which was launched in Dec 2023. This plan will serve as Penampang’s contribution to the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK-13) for 2026-2030.
“In addition to preparing for RMK-13, we must also ensure the implementation of several projects that have yet to begin, are delayed, or are stalled in Sabah, including in Penampang. Among them is the flood mitigation project which has been granted multiple extensions.
Advertisement“In Donggongon, the flood mitigation project is currently in progress, involving the deepening and widening of the Donggongon drain, which was delayed due to the relocation of utilities along the main drainage route. These works only resumed at the end of 2023 after we prioritised them through the Penampang District Action Committee meetings.
“As the Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, we are also introducing new services in Penampang through various agencies, including the opening of a Tekun branch office, improvements to Bank Rakyat, the development of a Tekun TikTok Shop Studio, the establishment of Tamu Desa premises and an MSME Hub, as well as financing for entrepreneurs and cooperatives,” he said.
Ewon hopes people of all ethnic backgrounds in Penampang would continue working together with government agencies and departments to ensure the success of development projects.
“I am confident that the Chinese community in Penampang will continue to play a crucial role in the district’s development alongside other ethnic groups. I will continue to support all positive community initiatives, including the proposal by the Chinese Kapitans of Penampang to hold this celebration annually,” he said.
Also present at the event were Kapayan Assemblywoman Jannie Lasimbang, Penampang Municipal Council President Francis Chong and other local leaders.
