643 Small Vendors Throughout Sabah to Receive One-Off Assistance of RM5,000

nabalunews
May 8
2 min read

Dr. Joachim (centre) with small street vendors who received UNTUKMU assistance for the Ranau district.

8 May 2025

KUNDASANG: A total of 643 small street vendors across Sabah have been identified as eligible to receive a one-off assistance of RM5,000, as announced in the Sabah State Budget 2025 presentation.

Deputy Chief Minister II, Datuk Seri Dr. Joachim Gunsalam, who made the announcement, stated that the list of recipients had been finalised following a comprehensive verification process conducted by a special committee involving the Ministry of Local Government and Housing (KKTP), the State Finance Ministry, and all Local Authorities (PBT).

“Field programmes have been carried out to gather data on small street vendors in all districts. After thorough review based on the established mechanism, 643 vendors have been identified as eligible to receive this aid,” he said during the launch of the Kick-Off Ceremony for the Upgrading Assistance Programme for the Community and General Public (UNTUKMU) at the Kundasang Cultural Stage today.

Dr. Joachim, who is also the Minister of Local Government and Housing, added that, of the total, 47 recipients from Ranau district received the assistance today in the form of a one-off cash donation of RM5,000 each.

He explained that the initiative demonstrated the State Government’s concern for small traders facing challenges such as rising operational costs, lack of capital, and unstable business locations.

He also regarded small traders as microeconomic drivers playing a vital role in providing services to the local community.

“Hopefully, this assistance can be utilised effectively, whether for purchasing equipment, as additional capital, or to further expand existing businesses,” he said.

The event also saw the presentation of mock cheques to the involved PBTs before the phased distribution of aid to other districts was carried out.

Present at the event were Deputy Permanent Secretary II of KKTP, Faridah Giau; Ranau District Officer, Tinus Manggam; President of the Penampang Municipal Council, Francis Chong; representative of Ranau Parliamentary area, Hussen Haji Jerat; representative of Karanaan Constituency, Datuk Faimin Kamin; representative of Paginatan Constituency Hishamuddin Harun; Deputy District Police Chief of Ranau, ASP Edianshah Endal; KKTP officers, and community leaders.