RM20 million allocation for Traditional Markets in Sabah and Sarawak next year : Ewon

26 October 2023

By Nabalu News Journalist

KOTA BELUD: RM20 million has been allocated to upgrade the facilities of Traditional Markets or Tamu in Sabah and Sarawak next year.

Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Datuk Ewon Benedick said the allocation was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the recent Budget presentation .

"In the sessions we conducted earlier with entrepreneurs and small traders in Tamu, there were suggestions from them for the government to assist in upgrading their facilities.

"In relation to that, I have proposed to the Secretary-General of the Treasury and the federal budget task force to provide a special allocation to upgrade traditional markets in Sabah and Sarawak that are located outside the jurisdiction of the District Council in the 2024 Budget and channel it to my ministry.

"This proposal is also based on my previous visits to several community traditional tamu in Kadamaian, such as Tamu Sayap, Tamu Sumbilingon, Tamu Pinolobu, Tamu Melangkap, and Tamu Kiau.

"This allocation has been announced and included in the federal budget for the year 2024. This will undoubtedly benefit traders in the traditional markets in Sabah and Sarawak. This allocation is given out for the first time," he said.

He said this when met by reporters after officiating the Cooperative Community Cultivation Programme at the Ulu Wariu Zone (NATESA) in the SIB Kg.Nahaba Multipurpose Hall, here, today.

Ewon, who is also the State Assemblyman (Adun) of Kadamaian, hopes that the allocation can be fully utilised by small traders in traditional markets in Sabah and Sarawak.

Regarding the Kadamaian Development Plan 2020 – 2035, he said it serves as a guide and input for development planning in the Kadamaian area.

He said that one of the results of the Development Plan is the implementation of the upgrading projects for several main roads in Kadamaian, namely the Tengkurus - Lahanas Road and the Sayap - Mansulit Road, which are currently being carried out, as well as the Tambuluang - Podos Road, which is currently being tendered by the Public Works Department

.

"When completed, it will not only facilitate and provide comfort to the motorists but in terms of commuting, sending children to school, marketing agricultural products, as well as enhance opportunities in economic activities, particularly in the tourism industry in the respective village," he said.