Ewon
KOTA KINABALU (Oct 26): Sabah and Sarawak will receive an allocation of RM20 million for the upgrade of the ‘Tamu-Tamu Tradisi’ or ‘Tamu Desa’ in the two states, said Entrepreneur Development and Cooperative Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick.
Speaking to reporters after officiating the ‘Program Membudayakan Masyarakat Berkoperasi Peringkat’ for the Ulu Wariu zone (NATESA) in Kampung Nahaba, Kota Belud on Thursday, Ewon said the allocation was recently announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim when he tabled the Madani Budget 2024.
“In previous engagement sessions with traditional market entrepreneurs and small traders, there were suggestions from them to seek government assistance in improving their village market facilities.
“As a result, I proposed to the Treasury Secretary-General and the federal budget task force to create a special allocation in the 2024 Budget for upgrading the tamus in Sabah and Sarawak that are outside the jurisdiction of District Councils,” he said, adding that the aid will be channelled to his ministry.
The proposal, Ewon said, was made after his visits to the tamus 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 2024. Undoubtedly, it will benefit small traders in the tamus in Sabah and Sarawak. This allocation is also a first of its kind,” he said.
Ewon, who is also the Kadamaian assemblyman, hopes that the allocation can be fully utilized by small traders in the tamus in Sabah and Sarawak.
Regarding the Kadamaian Development Plan 2020-2035, he said that it serves as a guide and input for development plans in the constituency, adding that one of the outcomes of the development plan is the implementation of road improvement projects in Kadamaian, specifically the Tengkurus-Lahanas Road and the Sayap-Mansulit Road, which are currently in progress, as well as the Tambuluang-Podos Road, which is currently open for tender by the Public Works Department.
“When completed, these projects will not only ease and provide convenience to the village residents for commuting, sending their children to school, marketing agricultural products, but also enhance opportunities in economic activities, especially in the tourism industry in the relevant villages,” he said.