PENAMPANG: Deputy Chief Minister cum Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said cooperation and unity between leaders and residents are essential in advancing Penampang and resolving long-standing issues such as flooding and traffic congestion.
The Penampang MP said collective effort among community leaders and the public is needed to steer the district’s growth in industry, business and public wellbeing, stressing that shared responsibility would lead to more effective and sustainable solutions.
He was speaking at the Christmas and New Year celebration and the officiating ceremony of the Tamu Desa Ramayah at Kampung Ramayah, Saturday.
Ewon said Penampang has the potential to develop into a second city alongside Kota Kinabalu, provided development is managed in a steady, inclusive and well-coordinated manner that takes into account the needs of local communities.
He also highlighted the construction of Tamu Desa premises as proof of the government’s commitment to strengthening micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), particularly at the village level.
Among the facilities built in Sabah is the Tamu Desa Kampung Ramayah, which was implemented by the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry (Kuskop) last year when he was at the helm of the ministry.
“This Tamu Desa was one of the facilities requested by village leaders during my tenure at Kuskop, and I hope it will be fully utilised,” he said.
He said the village market, held every Saturday and managed by the Kampung Ramayah Neighbourhood Watch Committee (KRT), has been fully utilised by local small-scale entrepreneurs to carry out their sales activities.
“This development shows that the facilities provided by the government are in line with the actual needs of micro and small entrepreneurs at the village level,” he said.
Ewon, who is also the newly appointed Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport (Mindet), said empowering MSMEs remains one of the ministry’s key priorities as they are among the main drivers of Sabah’s economy.
He said the transport portfolio under his ministry focuses on logistics and now oversees three agencies previously placed under the Sabah Public Works Department, namely the Sabah Ports Authority, the Sabah State Railway Department and the Sabah Dockyard Department.
In addition, he also serves as an exco member overseeing several Federal agencies related to transport.
Also present were Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department Datuk Ceasar Mandela Malakun, Moyog Assemblyman Datuk Donald Peter Mojuntin, Penampang Municipal Council President Noemi Dyena John, and local community leaders.
