Tamu Desa to be expanded in Sarawak, says minister

Borneo Post

30-07-2025

Ewon speaks during the press conference at Pasar Sungai Apong in Kuching today. – Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad
KUCHING (July 30): The Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives is looking to expand its Tamu Desa initiative in Sarawak this year, with discussions to be held with the state government to determine priority areas and implementation mechanisms.
Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said the expansion follows positive feedback and the successful rollout of 39 projects across Sarawak in 2024, involving a total allocation of RM7.8 million.
'This year, we will hold discussions with the Sarawak government, specifically with Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, to identify new locations and coordinate project implementation,' he told a press conference during a visit to the upgraded Pasar Sungai Apong here today.
'We've already received applications from four Sarawak Members of Parliament requesting that Tamu Desa projects be implemented in their respective constituencies, especially in rural and remote areas,' he added.
The Tamu Desa initiative, introduced in 2024, is designed to upgrade, refurbish, or construct new community markets, particularly in underserved areas of Sabah and Sarawak.
For 2025, the federal government has allocated a total of RM20 million under the national budget and an additional announcement made by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the Madani Rakyat programme in Tawau last May.
'This year's funding is the same as last year – RM10 million through the 2025 Budget, and RM10 million more announced by the Prime Minister. We aim to ensure continued implementation of these projects in both Sarawak and Sabah,' Ewon said.
While the initiative originally focused on rural areas, Ewon said Sarawak's approach last year included markets in urban centres and areas under local authorities such as municipal councils.
'In Sarawak, some of the projects involved existing markets like Pasar Sungai Apong. Based on our discussions last year, the state government felt there was also a need to upgrade existing market infrastructure, and I agree that this should continue,' he said.
He added that before finalising new projects, the ministry would consult with the Deputy Premier to ensure alignment with state development plans and secure a list of proposed sites.
When asked whether most of the proposed markets would be in rural or urban areas, Ewon said proposals have been received for both types of locations.
'The four MPs who submitted requests included locations in the interior. I believe these areas also deserve to be prioritised, but the final decision will come after discussion with the state government,' he said.
Separately, Ewon said the ministry also held a consultation session today with Sarawak government representatives on the proposed amendments to the Cooperatives Act.
The session included participation from senior Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives officials, the Malaysian Cooperative Commission, Sarawak Deputy Ministers, state assembly members, and civil servants.
'We presented the proposed provisions of the new Act, and Sarawak has submitted its views and suggestions. This is part of our nationwide engagement process.
'We aim to table the new Cooperatives Act for first reading in Parliament at the end of this year, followed by second and third readings in the March session next year,' he said.
Ewon said the new Act will focus on strengthening cooperative operations and enhancing the role of the Malaysia Cooperative Societies Commission as the main regulatory agency.
Also present during the visit were Sarawak Deputy Minister of International Trade, Industry and Investment, Datuk Dr Malcolm Mussen Lamoh; Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives secretary-general Dato Sri Khairul Dzaimee Daud; and Kuching South Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng. Ewon Benedick expand Tamu Desa