Tamu Desa Open Hall to Boost Local Economy in Telupid

21 September 2025

TELUPID: The newly completed Dewan Terbuka Tamu Desa in Pekan Telupid will serve as a catalyst for local economic growth, particularly for small and medium traders.

Chairman of the Telupid District Entrepreneurs and Traders Association, Felix Joseph Saang, expressed his gratitude to the Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (MEDC), Datuk Ewon Benedick, for realising the long-requested project.

“On behalf of the association and the people of Telupid, I would like to record our highest appreciation and deepest thanks to Datuk Ewon Benedick for making this Tamu Desa Open Hall a reality.

“A promise has been fulfilled, and the commitment delivered. This is a fine example of swift, efficient, and transparent administration,” he said.

Felix noted that the association had earlier submitted an application for a proper tamu hall to meet the needs of traders and the local community.

“With this new facility, traders can now conduct business in a more comfortable, orderly, and conducive environment, attracting more visitors from within and outside the district,” he added.

He also highlighted that the hall would not only serve as a weekly market space but could also be used for entrepreneurship programmes, business training, and community activities.

“This will create wider opportunities for young people to venture into entrepreneurship and business in Telupid,” he said.

Felix stressed that the project reflected the government’s concern and commitment to grassroots economic development.

“I am confident that this tamu will not only stimulate the local economy but also stand as a new landmark for the Telupid community in the spirit of Malaysia MADANI,” he remarked.

He also commended the contractor for completing the construction professionally despite Sabah’s unpredictable weather conditions, and extended appreciation to Telupid District Office officials, including District Officer Celestine Jetony, Assistant District Officers Stanley Sikolis and Muhammed-Nesrul-Omer, and District Engineer Mohd Hafezudin Rosdeh for their support.

Felix further acknowledged contributions from the Telupid District Council, SESB, the Water Department, security forces, and various agencies under MEDC.

“In fact, I am also grateful for the approval of another tamu desa to be built in Telupid, which will meet the growing need for more business spaces and premises to support entrepreneurship and economic activity in our community,” he said.

Felix concluded by reaffirming the association’s appreciation to Datuk Ewon and MEDC for their continued commitment to developing Telupid’s economy.

When launching the Tamu Desa Open Hall today Ewon said the tamu, as an economic institution for the Kadazan Dusun community and other indigenous peoples of Sabah, is not merely a trading space but also a meeting ground, a platform for exchanging ideas, and a means of strengthening community identity.

Three entrepreneurs also received TEKUN Nasional financing. The first recipient, Lerry Malit, received RM139,000, also representing the overall financing disbursed by the TEKUN Telupid branch , totalling RM7,371,000 to 191 entrepreneurs between January and August 2025. The second recipient, Simol Baladu, received Kontrak-i financing amounting to RM139,000 to build a tamu desa open hall in his village. The third recipient, Pryziani Jinik, received RM16,000 under the TEKUN Niaga Scheme, which will go towards upgrading her beauty salon business.