RM200k for Melangkap Tiong announced

4 May 2024

By AVV

KOTA BELUD: Kadamaian State Assemblyman Datuk Ewon Benedick announced a substantial allocation of RM200,000 for the development of Melangkap Tiong Tamu Desa during the Harvest Festival celebration held there.

According to him this financial support aims to improve the area's tamu desa or rural traditional market, which had been operating for several years. The traditional tamu needed some upgrades and the funds will contribute tremendously towards the upgrading of the establishments.

According to him, the RM200K is a portion of the RM20 million allocated for Sabah and Sarawak, aimed at supporting entrepreneurship in the Rural Market programme. This funding will be used to upgrade community markets and develop better infrastructure for rural traditional tamu.

Melangkap is widely recognised for its captivating tourist appeal, making it a sought-after destination. In addition to its natural beauty, the traditional market in Melangkap serves as an added attraction for tourists. It also plays a pivotal role in supporting the local rural economy, providing a platform for entrepreneurial ventures to thrive and generate income for the community.

In addition to the market upgrade development, Ewon also highlighted other planned improvements for Melangkap. These include upgrading the road leading to the church and paving the way towards the burial ground with stones, as well as assistance of pipes as applied for in the village.

According to Ewon, the Prime Minister announced the allocation of RM20 million during the budget presentation. This allocation is specifically designated for the upgrading of rural marketplaces, markets, and vendors' kiosks. The Ministry has been entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing this initiative.

He said his commitment is in ensuring that the business community in this sector benefits from the allocated funds.

They are dedicated to addressing the needs of rural marketplaces and vendors by utilising this allocation effectively.

Ewon also shared his intentions to advocate for the inclusion of this allocation as an annual provision in the national budget. This would enable consistent support for the development and improvement of rural marketplaces and vendors' kiosks in the long run.

According to Ewon. the initiative could benefit 10,000 entrepreneurs and individuals in both Sabah and Sarawak, with the actual impact depending on the size of the community. This could include stand-alone villages or groups of villages like Melangkap.

Ewon also mentioned that his ministry encourages entrepreneurs through various suggestions, one of which is the Tamu Entrepreneur Financing Scheme (SPUT) under TEKUN, which was launched last year.

Ewon later launched a cooperative sales programme during the event. This programme allows people to purchase essential goods at a lower price than the normal market price.

Notable attendees at the event included Anichlose Kosimin, the event organizing chairman, and Mathias Kundapin, the Chairman of SKM Sabah.