RM1.2 Billion Support for Sabah Entrepreneurs Highlights TEKUN’s Longstanding Commitment Since 1998

7 August 2025

KENINGAU: TEKUN Nasional has disbursed RM1.2 billion to 66,350 entrepreneurs in Sabah since its establishment in 1998 up to the present.

Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperative (MEDC) Datuk Ewon Benedick explained that during the same period, RM52 million had been allocated to 2,821 TEKUN entrepreneurs within the Keningau parliamentary constituency.

"For the year 2025 alone, RM55 million has been disbursed to 1,108 entrepreneurs in Sabah, whilst in the Keningau constituency, RM3.5 million has been allocated to 237 entrepreneurs," he said.

He made these remarks during the opening of the Keningau Basic Entrepreneurship Seminar at Hotel Juta here today.

Ewon added that as of 31 July 2025, TEKUN Nasional had successfully organised 1,059 basic entrepreneurship seminars nationwide, involving the participation of 315,184 entrepreneurs.

He further highlighted that the entrepreneurship sector is a key driver of the nation’s economic development, not only in creating employment opportunities but also in improving the standard of living for the rakyat.

"However, not all individuals have sufficient knowledge and skills in entrepreneurship, especially at the initial stages. Therefore, seminars like this are very important to provide guidance, knowledge, and networking support to aspiring entrepreneurs," he said.

Ewon hopes that this entrepreneurship seminar will serve as a platform to inspire and transform, while also strengthening the entrepreneurship ecosystem, particularly in Sabah.

"I am very proud and grateful for TEKUN Nasional’s efforts in developing entrepreneurs over the years. These achievements prove that TEKUN Nasional is highly relevant and is a preferred access point for financing among informal and micro entrepreneurs in the country.

"I also hope that this Basic Entrepreneurship Seminar will benefit all participants and ignite the spirit of entrepreneurship, serving as a starting point for more successful entrepreneurs across the country," he added.

Ewon stated that the MADANI Government is committed to encouraging greater participation of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the entrepreneurship sector through various initiatives, including financing funds and capacity development, in line with the objectives of the National Entrepreneurship Policy 2030 (DKN2030) to increase MSME contributions to 50 per cent by 2030.

He mentioned that MSMEs contributed RM613.1 billion, or 39.1 per cent, to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2023, as well as creating 7.86 million jobs, accounting for 48.5 per cent of the total workforce.

"This clearly shows that MSMEs are a key driver of the nation’s economic growth, similar to what we see in developed countries such as Japan, South Korea, and Germany, where MSMEs contribute more than 50 percent to GDP," he stated.