MINDET to Collaborate with INSKEN to Deliver Five Programmes in Sabah

20 February 2026

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Ministry of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport (MINDET) will collaborate with the National Entrepreneurship Institute (INSKEN) to implement two Masterclass Programmes and three Bangkit Programmes across Sabah throughout 2026.

Deputy Chief Minister III and Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Transport, Datuk Ewon Benedick said the programmes, to be held in Kota Kinabalu and Kundasang, will cover a range of sectors including agriculture, the creative industries and eco-tourism.

He also welcomed INSKEN’s strategic collaboration with other Sabah state agencies, including the Department of Industrial Development and Research (DIDR).

“I appreciate the initiatives implemented by INSKEN in developing entrepreneurs in Sabah over the years.

“For the 2025 programmes, under initiatives carried out by INSKEN in Sabah, 72 per cent of entrepreneurs recorded a minimum sales increase of 25 per cent, created 128 new employment opportunities, generated a 6.1-fold return on programme funding, and achieved an average profit margin increase of 44 per cent. In addition, through INSKEN Mini Coaching, 95 per cent of entrepreneurs successfully enhanced their products or services based on measured performance indicators,” he said.

He was speaking after receiving a courtesy visit from an INSKEN delegation led by its Chief Executive Viviantie Sarjuni.

Ewon also congratulated Viviantie on receiving the Schwab Foundation Award at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos recently.

Meanwhile, Viviantie said the Look East Policy introduced by Datuk Ewon during his tenure leading the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP) three years ago had brought about significant transformation in entrepreneurship development, including within INSKEN.

“I am proud that through the Look East Policy we have gained international recognition. We did not apply for the award; rather, they assessed the work carried out, including INSKEN’s initiatives, before deciding to confer the honour.

“We are the first Malaysians to receive this award. Datuk Ewon has left a strong legacy at KUSKOP, and as a Sabahan I am deeply proud. I am also pleased that we will be implementing many programmes in collaboration with MINDET moving forward.

“In addition to the five programmes planned with MINDET this year, we are also planning further entrepreneurship initiatives across Sabah, taking into account the state’s vast geographical area, which requires programmes to be implemented across all districts,” she said.

Regarding the overall performance of the INSKEN Sabah 2025 Mentorship Programme, Viviantie said it recorded RM3.9 million in additional sales generated through four cohorts of the INSKEN Bumiputera Business Coaching (IBBC) programme.

Overall, 72 per cent of entrepreneurs who participated in the INSKEN Sabah mentorship programmes last year recorded encouraging improvements in business performance.

She also announced that five IBBC participants in Sabah were listed among the top performers of the INSKEN Sabah 2025 Mentorship Programme.

They are Mohd Hafiz Abdullah, operator of Sorrow Beach Ecotourism in Tanjung Bangau, Kudat, who achieved a 447 per cent increase in sales; Juhilin Tutun from Beaufort, with a 72 per cent increase; Dul Alis, a café and restaurant operator, who recorded a 205 per cent increase; Nurasyikin Norbin from Kota Belud, who achieved a 179 per cent increase through her food stall business; and Izhan Nasriq Imran from Penampang, producer of Dimna Soda, who recorded a sales increase of up to 361 per cent.