Tourism and agro-based entrepreneurship award for enterprising youth

Joniston greeting attendees

14 July 2025

KIULU : A group of inspiring young individuals from Kiulu were recently recognised for their outstanding contributions to community development, receiving awards that celebrated excellence in youth-led initiatives within tourism and agro-based entrepreneurship.

The awards, introduced for the first time, aim to honour and encourage young people who have shown initiative, innovation, and leadership in driving progress in their respective fields.

The inaugural recipients were:

Juanson Moidin from Kampung Pahu – Youth Tourism Entrepreneur

Charlie Gumbolog from Kampung Taginambur – Youth Agro-Agriculture Entrepreneur

Dell Darion Victor from Kampung Rugading – Youth Agro-Fisheries Entrepreneur

These young changemakers were recognised for their proactive efforts in transforming their communities through sustainable tourism and agriculture ventures, demonstrating the power of youth in shaping local economic development.

The awards were presented by Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment and Kiulu Assemblyman, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, during the Santai Pitimungan Belia Kiulu event on Sunday.

The programme, held at the Pulou Kelapa Eco-Tourism Open Hall in Kampung Malanggang Lama, drew a crowd of over 500 participants.

It was jointly organised by Kelab Belia Prihatin Kiulu and the Kiulu Tourism Association, with support from the Kiulu ADUN’s Office.

Chairperson of Kelab Belia Prihatin Kiulu, Elsheera Alfred Yapat, said the event was more than just a celebration, it served as a platform to foster active youth participation and community-minded leadership.

“Our aim is to bring the youth of Kiulu together in a supportive and empowering space where they can share their talents, ideas, and experiences, while building networks for a brighter future,” she said.

“As Datuk Joniston often highlights, Kiulu has immense potential in tourism, agriculture, and rural enterprise. I believe our youth possess the creativity, energy, and resilience needed to unlock that potential.”

In his address, Datuk Joniston underscored the importance of acknowledging young people’s achievements as a way to inspire wider youth involvement in key sectors such as tourism, agriculture, and community development.

“The youth of Kiulu must not rely solely on existing opportunities—they must be courageous in creating their own paths, demonstrating independence, resourcefulness, and a competitive spirit,” he said.

“Technology and social media should be harnessed to showcase the uniqueness of our villages, generate income, and support grassroots initiatives such as agropreneurship, homegrown cafés, and community-based tourism ventures.”

To further cultivate innovation among young people, Joniston proposed the launch of an Idea Pitch Mini programme, an initiative that would offer youth the opportunity to present business or community project proposals for potential seed funding.

During the event, two former students of SMK Tun Fuad Stephens, Joshua Subing (Kampung Pahu Lama) and Adellysandro Edward (Kampung Longkou Baru), were also commended for their achievements in sports, symbolising the broad spectrum of youth talent in Kiulu.

In addition, academic excellence was celebrated as Joniston presented incentives to 17 high-achieving STPM students from SMK Tun Fuad Stephens.

The programme featured a traditional costume design competition, musical performances, a market showcasing local produce, and information-sharing sessions on funding opportunities for young entrepreneurs facilitated by relevant government agencies.