Education and entrepreneurship can help eradicate poverty in Sabah

Datuk Ewon Benedick (middle) performing the launching gimmick watched by Rowindy (second right) and Datuk Gilbert Sham while Hemin (left) and Yasir look on

29 September 2024

By AVV

KOTA KINABALU: Poverty incidence among communities in certain areas of Sabah can be alleviated through initiatives in entrepreneurship and education.

Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (MEDC) Datuk Ewon Benedick said as a representative of Sabah, he faced a significant challenge each time he attended sessions in Parliament and the State Assembly, particularly when discussions about poverty arose.

“It is especially disheartening to acknowledge that Sabah has the highest rate of extreme poverty in the country, notably in areas like the Sugud district. We cannot allow this situation to persist,” he said during a dinner reception to acknowledge the efforts of TEKUN, with a Rock and Roll theme, at a resort yesterday.

Ewon said MEDC along with TEKUN Sabah and other government agencies, bear a crucial responsibility in addressing and alleviating poverty in the state.

“In my opinion, we can focus on two primary strategies, first, we must prioritize entrepreneurship development, where TEKUN has established itself as a leader. By fostering a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem, we can empower individuals to create sustainable livelihoods. Secondly, we need to enhance educational opportunities. The Ministry can play a pivotal role in this through the Malaysian Cooperative Commission, and financial support from Yayasan Bank Rakyat and Bank Rakyat itself. TEKUN also offers educational programmes that can further contribute to this effort.

“By concentrating on these two key areas—entrepreneurship and education—we can make significant strides toward liberating Sabah from the grips of poverty,” he said.

He also extended his highest appreciation to TEKUN Sabah for all the outstanding achievements and the very positive feedback he heard as Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives.

“TEKUN has developed around 64,000 entrepreneurs in Sabah, with financing of RM1.1 billion disbursed, and this year alone, nearly RM100 million has already been allocated. That is a significant amount.”

“I have heard positive things from entrepreneurs who have received loan financing from TEKUN, whether they are independent entrepreneurs or under contract I or other schemes, including those who sell at Tamu markets. I thank the Government and TEKUN for enabling these loans because, with this effort, traders can continue to receive funds to educate their siblings. From this beginning, it allows businesses to provide jobs for the people of Sabah, at least around that industry. Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME)contributed 39.1 percent to Malaysia’s economy, and the employment rate for those hired by MSMEs is 48 percent, almost half of the salaried workers are employed by micro-entrepreneurs.”

Meanwhile, several awards were accorded to TEKUN Staff and groups to acknowledge their efforts.

Highest Financing at RM3,940,000 went to Halizah Jeragan of TEKUN Branch Kota Belud, Highest Financing Percentage at 384% went to Zaifizal Awat of TEKUN Branch Tenom and Highest Collection of RM965,113.82 went to Elnah Boman from TEKUN Branch in Kota Kinabalu while Highest Collection Percentage of 138% went to Dorina Wati Rony from TEKUN Branch Labuan.

On the branch category, the highest financing went to Tekun Branch Kota Belud at RM7,698,000 and the Highest Financing Percentage went to TEKUN Branch Tenom at 462%. The award of the Highest Collection Percentage went to TEKUN Branch Pensiangan at 160% and the Lowest NPF went to TEKUN Branch Telupid at 2.20%.

The Overall Best Assistant Officer went to Reezo Yambi from Ranau Branch and the Overall Best Branch Manager went to Mustapha Noorazli from Labuan Branch.

Ewon later presented a sum of RM20,000 to a TEKUN Club called Remaja Purba Rider, and pledged to accord similar assistance for TEKUN staff activities in the future.

The event was attended by TEKUN Staff and management, including notables such as Yasir Salam, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of TEKUN, Hemin Osumping Sabah TEKUN Manager as well as Datuk Gilbert Sham and Rowindy Lawrence both are members of the TEKUN Board of Trustees.