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THE MADANI Rakyat Programme (PMR) 2025 in Sabah demonstrates the strength of collaboration between the Federal and state governments through a whole-of-government approach, said Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick.
Speaking at a media interview during the programme in Tawau today, Ewon noted that the event brought together various federal and state agencies to offer services directly to the people, reflecting a shared commitment to integrated governance.
“This platform strengthens Federal-State cooperation by providing joint service counters for the public. Ultimately, the benefits go to the people—that is our objective,” Bernama quoted him saying.
PMR 2025 Sabah is being held over three days at Dataran Majlis Perbandaran Tawau, from 9 to 11 May, with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim expected to officiate the closing ceremony tomorrow alongside Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
Organised by the Prime Minister’s Department through the Performance Acceleration Coordination Unit (PACU), and led by Ewon’s ministry, the initiative is themed “Ending Poverty Through Entrepreneurship” and aims to empower communities and reduce poverty via entrepreneurial strategies.
Ewon added that both federal and state-level policies and initiatives related to entrepreneurship have been aligned to ensure a more meaningful impact on the people and the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
He also highlighted that national coordination mechanisms are already in place, such as the National SME and Entrepreneur Development Council chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“I personally chair the National Entrepreneurship Development Council, which includes ministers, state executive councillors for entrepreneurship, and senior officials to determine the strategic direction for entrepreneurship development,” Ewon said.
He underscored the need to further strengthen these collaborative structures through joint committees and consistent policy alignment, particularly in advancing entrepreneurship as a tool for poverty eradication.
“What’s important is that this whole-of-government approach becomes embedded in every policy, especially those related to entrepreneurship development,” he said. - May 10, 2025