SANDAKAN: The Federal Government should continue funding tamu desa or village market facilities under Budget 2027 to strengthen economic activity in Sabah’s villages, Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Ewon Benedick said.
He said the initiative should be maintained given the importance of weekly tamu desa to the communities across the State.
“Sabah has about 3,000 villages administered by Village Development and Security Committees (JKKK), and I believe most of them hold a weekly tamu.
“If initiatives like this continue, these rural market facilities can be used not only for weekly markets but also for other activities, such as Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia agency meetings, Madani Rahmah Sales and community events such as weddings,” he said.
Ewon, who is also Sabah Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport Minister, was speaking to reporters after opening the Kampung Ulu Dusun tamu facility in conjunction with the Sabah First Local Entrepreneurs Programme, here.
Ewon said he had recently raised the matter with the Minister, Deputy Minister and Secretary-General of the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry (Kuskop).
He also expressed hope that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would consider continuing the initiative.
“From my experience as Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister, I visited many tamu. Once these facilities were provided, they proved to have a significant impact on small traders, particularly women and mothers who trade at weekly markets.
“The facilities provide greater comfort and allow them to continue trading even when it rains,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chairman of Koperasi Usahawan Libaran Sabah Berhad, Dr Peter Naintin, said the rural market facilities provided small traders, including roadside vendors, with a safer and more comfortable place to do business.
“We want to ensure that entrepreneurs are protected in terms of safety while also helping them increase their income.
“We hope another rural market facility will be built in Kampung Jaya Bakti next year. Most of the entrepreneurs here are mothers seeking to improve their families’ economic wellbeing,” he said.
