Sabah’s PROTUNE Programme Records Over RM1.4 Million in Sales, Says Ewon

5 Ogos 2026

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s Tunas Niaga (PROTUNE) Programme 2025 generated more than RM1.4 million in total sales over its nine-month implementation, highlighting the strong potential of entrepreneurship development among secondary school students in the state.

Sabah Deputy Chief Minister III and Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport, Datuk Ewon Benedick, said companies established by participating schools under the programme recorded total sales of RM1,408,632.26, with a net profit of RM380,098.41.

He said the achievement reflected the dedication, creativity and commitment of students and their teacher mentors in managing and growing their respective school enterprises.

“However, the true success of the programme is not measured solely by sales or profits, but by the valuable experience, confidence and leadership, communication, problem-solving and teamwork skills that students have developed throughout the programme,” he told reporters after officiating the PROTUNE Sabah State Convention 2025 Awards Ceremony here on Wednesday.

Ewon expressed hope that the knowledge and experience gained through PROTUNE would inspire more young entrepreneurs capable of creating employment opportunities in line with the Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0development agenda and the Sabah First Vision.

To further encourage participating schools, he announced an additional RM2,000 grant for each of the 15 finalist schools through the Minister’s Special Entrepreneurship Development Fund under the Ministry of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport (MINDET).

He also approved an additional RM10,000 allocation from the same fund for the recipient of the PROTUNE 2025 Award.

The programme was organised by SEDCovest, a subsidiary of the Sabah Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO), in collaboration with the Sabah State Education Department.

Ewon said the Sabah government, through MINDET, remains committed to supporting the programme by providing entrepreneurship development funding to SEDCovest to ensure entrepreneurship education continues to thrive at the school level.

A total of 45 schools from across Sabah participated in this year’s programme, with 15 schools advancing to the final stage.

According to Ewon, alumni data also demonstrated the programme’s long-term impact. About 68 per cent of former participants have continued their studies, 21 per cent have entered the workforce, nine per cent are seeking employment, while two per cent have pursued entrepreneurship as a career.

“These statistics show that PROTUNE not only introduces entrepreneurship to students but also equips them with the confidence and soft skills needed for higher education, employment and business,” he said.

“In a rapidly changing economy, we need more young people who can create jobs rather than simply seek them. Programmes such as PROTUNE are essential in producing innovative, resilient and competitive young entrepreneurs.”

Ewon added that the programme should continue to be strengthened to nurture more creative and competitive entrepreneurs while contributing to Sabah’s long-term economic development.

During the ceremony, SMK Sepagaya Lahad Datu was named Best PROTUNE Company 2025, receiving a RM2,500 cash prize, a trophy and a certificate.