SANDAKAN: The Federal Government has been urged to continue its rural market (Tamu Desa) development initiative in Sabah and Sarawak under Budget 2027 to provide small rural entrepreneurs with more suitable and comfortable business premises.
Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transportation Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said the initiative, which began in 2024, had benefited village communities by providing spaces not only for trading but also for various community activities.
He said the Federal Government, through the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry (Kuskop), should continue the initiative as the facilities allowed traders to operate without having to worry about rain or hot weather.
“There are about 3,000 villages in Sabah under the management of Village Development and Security Committees (JKKK), and most of them have weekly tamu.
“Tamu Desa in Sabah villages are not only used for weekly sales, but can also be used for various other activities such as weekly meetings, festive celebrations, weddings, as well as programmes and talks by government agencies,” he said.
Ewon said the premises could also be used for programmes such as Jualan Rahmah Madani and activities by government agencies, including financing agencies that could conduct engagement sessions and handle financing-related matters directly with entrepreneurs.
He said this after attending the Tamu Desa Ulu Dusun Sandakan premises as part of the Sabah First Local Entrepreneur programme at the Tamu Desa hall in Kampung Kitagas, Batu 6, Ulu Dusun, here.
Also present were Kampung Kitagas, Ulu Dusun chief Willis Sui, representatives from the Sandakan office of the Malaysia Cooperative Societies Commission, Sandakan Municipal Council and related agencies.
Ewon said he hoped the Federal Government would recognise the development of Tamu Desa as an important facility for rural communities.
“I believe the Government will see this need as something very important,” he said.
Meanwhile, Peter said Tamu Desa was a positive initiative that could help boost economic activity among residents in the Libaran area.
He said the relevant authorities, together with JKKKs, had identified potential entrepreneurs and small traders, including those who had previously operated by roadsides.
“We identified and gathered them through the JKKK. Then we looked at suitable areas and Koulis made recommendations to Kuskop that this area was suitable for development as a Tamu Desa,” he said.
He said an allocation of about RM200,000 under the special Tamu Desa programme enabled the premises to be developed according to the prescribed specifications.
The premises were completed in June 2026 and can accommodate traders from about 14 villages.
Peter hoped at least three more Tamu Desa could be established in the Libaran area, including in Kampung Jaya Bakti, to provide more space for village entrepreneurs.
“Cooperation with the JKKK is very important in identifying suitable locations,” he said.
Koulis would also continue assisting village entrepreneurs, particularly women who were heavily involved in small businesses, he added.
The weekly operation of Tamu Desa depends on the JKKKs, which manage its implementation.
Peter said the facilities not only provided a more comfortable space for trading but also created opportunities for villagers to expand their economic activities in a more organised manner.
