Kota Kinabalu: The State-level Program Tunas Niaga (Protune) 2025 recorded total sales exceeding RM1.4 million during its nine-month implementation, highlighting the strong potential for entrepreneurship development among students in the State.
Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Ewon Benedick said Protune companies established by participating schools achieved total sales of RM1,408,632.26 and a net profit of RM380,098.41.
He said the achievement reflected the dedication, creativity and commitment of students and teacher advisers in developing their respective school companies.
“However, true success is not measured solely by sales or profits, but by the experience, confidence, leadership, communication, problem-solving and teamwork skills developed throughout the programme.
“I hope the experience and knowledge gained will produce a new generation of entrepreneurs capable of competing while creating more employment opportunities in line with the Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0 roadmap and the Sabah First Vision,” he told reporters after officiating the State-level Protune Convention 2025 Awards Ceremony, here, on Tuesday.
Ewon, who is also State Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport Minister, said he had agreed to provide an additional RM2,000 to each of the 15 finalist schools through the Ministry’s Special Entrepreneurship Development Fund.
“In addition, I have approved a further RM10,000 from the same fund for the school company that receives the Protune 2025 Award.” The programme was organised by Sedcovest, a subsidiary of Sedco, in collaboration with the Sabah Education Department, and 45 schools from across Sabah participated in this year’s programme, with 15 schools qualifying for the final stage.
Ewon said the State Government, through his Ministry, would continue supporting Protune by channelling entrepreneurship development funds to Seecovest to ensure entrepreneurship development at the school level continues.
He said the programme’s positive impact was reflected in its alumni statistics, with 68 per cent pursuing further studies, 21 per cent entering the workforce, nine per cent seeking employment and two per cent venturing into entrepreneurship.
He expressed hope that the programme would continue to be strengthened to nurture more creative, innovative and competitive young entrepreneurs, contributing to Sabah’s economic development.
At the ceremony, SMK Sepagaya Lahad Datu won the Best Protune Company Award, receiving RM2,500 in cash, a trophy and a certificate.
Sedcovest Holdings Sdn Bhd Chairwoman Datuk Redonah Bahanda said Protune, which has been implemented since 1997, has become an important platform for nurturing competitive, creative and entrepreneurial-minded youths in Sabah.
She said participants spent nine months managing their own companies, developing products, overseeing marketing activities, preparing annual reports and presenting their companies’ performance before a panel of professional judges.
“Protune is not merely a competition to identify winners, but a platform to build students’ character, integrity, discipline and resilience so that they can become job creators and contribute to the State’s economic development in the future,” she said.
