Ewon welcomes DESANITA's intention to establish a cooperative

27 November 2023

By Wartawan Nabalu News

PENAMPANG: Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Datuk Ewon Benedick welcomes the intention of the Desa Women's Development Organization (DESANITA) of the West Coast of Sabah to establish a cooperative to help generate income for its members.

For this purpose, he requested the organization to contact the Malaysian Cooperative Commission (SKM) to facilitate the registration process.

"I have also requested that DESANITA hold meetings with agencies under my ministry such as Tekun Nasional, Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM), and SME Corp so that they can build an entrepreneurial movement among their members.

"DESANITA is a non-governmental organisation that was established 20 years ago and has been actively involved in empowering women in leadership, entrepreneurship, welfare, and community programs," he said.

He made these remarks when met by reporters after officiating a dinner in conjunction with DESANITA's Anniversary Celebration, held here yesterday.

Ewon, who is also the Penampang Member of Parliament said that as support for the organization's community and entrepreneurial programs, he agreed to provide an annual administrative grant of RM50,000 from the ministry's special allocation for the following year.

"I will provide an annual administrative grant to DESANITA next year to encourage more women to be involved in leadership development, entrepreneurship, education, and other community activities that they have been implementing for 20 years," he said.

Meanwhile, DESANITA President Clarice Irine Benedict Moiji expressed gratitude to Datuk Ewon for his generosity in providing contributions to the organisation.

"We will utilise the contribution to carry out planned programmes, including Christmas events, visits to orphanages, education projects, healthcare, welfare, and community programs for women in rural areas," she said.