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Sabah, Sarawak to have more Tamu Desa
Ewon holding a lingaman (harvesting knife) and a stalk of harvested paddy at the event.
KOTA BELUD (June 2): More Tamu Desa will be constructed in Sabah and Sarawak this year.
Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP) Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said his ninistry plans to build more Tamu Desa premises in Sabah and Sarawak this year, as part of efforts to improve facilities for rural market stalls and to empower Tamu entrepreneurs.
Ewon said that the MADANI Government, through his ministry, has allocated RM20 million to implement the Tamu Desa Premises Development Project this year.
He added that this includes an additional RM10 million allocation announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the MADANI Rakyat Programme (PMR) in Tawau last month.
'Last year, we successfully built and upgraded 98 Tamu Desa premises throughout Sabah and Sarawak. This year, with an allocation of RM20 million, I hope we can construct the same number or even more,' he said to reporters after officiating the Kaamatan Festival at Kampung Pinasang Tamu Darat and launching the Tamu Desa premises at Tamu Darat, here Monday.
The Tamu Desa premises in the village, which cost RM250,000, began construction at the end of last year and will be completed this year.
For the first time, the government, through KUSKOP, introduced the Tamu Desa Premises Development Project in 2024, with an allocation of RM20 million in the 2024 Budget to implement Tamu Desa premises across Sabah and Sarawak.
Ewon said that out of the 98 Tamu Desa premises completed throughout Sabah and Sarawak last year, 14 were built in the Kota Belud area.
'I was informed by village leaders that these premises have brought great benefits to the local community, especially to mothers and small entrepreneurs who trade weekly.
'It not only provides a more comfortable space for trading but can also be used for various community activities on other days,' he said.
He added that the requirements for developing Tamu Desa premises vary depending on the location and the scope of work determined by the District Office, whether it involves new construction or upgrading.
'The cost of upgrades ranges from RM100,000 to as much as RM300,000. Therefore, the ministry will allocate funds based on the value and needs submitted by each respective district office,' he said.
Ewon mentioned that as of May 2025, applications for new construction and upgrades of Tamu Desa premises in Sabah alone have reached RM40 million, including pending applications carried over from last year that have yet to be implemented.
'This total does not yet include applications from Sarawak. Although our budget is limited, what is important is the continuity of what we have implemented last year.
'What we started last year will be continued and expanded this year. I am confident this programme will become one of the ministry's key contributions to the 13th Malaysia Plan (2026–2030),' he said.
Ewon added that the Tamu Desa initiative is part of the government's commitment to paying special attention to rural needs in Sabah and Sarawak, in line with the country's inclusive development agenda and the Look East Policy.
