KOTA KINABALU, 16 July 2025 – A total of 46 Rural Market (Tamu Desa) development and upgrading projects will be implemented across Sabah this year, involving 28 full districts and sub-districts, announced Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, Datuk Ewon Benedick.
He said the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP) has allocated RM10 million under the 2025 National Budget for the initiative.
“During the MADANI Rakyat Sabah Programme in Tawau on 11 May, Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced an additional RM10 million allocation, bringing the total development fund for Tamu Desa in Sabah to RM20 million this year,” Ewon said during a press conference after chairing the District-level Council on Entrepreneur, Cooperative, Hawkers and Small Traders Development (MPUKPPD) engagement session here today.
He stressed that the 2025 implementation would emphasize stronger governance and structured site verification, based on lessons learned from the initial rollout last year.
“All district offices are now required to verify the land status of proposed Tamu Desa sites to avoid future disputes. So far, 15 district offices have provided written confirmation, and KUSKOP has issued official letters authorizing project implementation in those areas.
“For the remaining districts, we are still awaiting written verification before proceeding,” he explained.
At the same event, Ewon also presented appointment letters to 15 district officers as MPUKPPD chairpersons, along with project authorization letters for the confirmed districts.
He said the development of Tamu Desa is not only aimed at providing better and more comfortable infrastructure for local entrepreneurs and small traders, but also strengthening rural economies and improving market access for local products.
“I will also be visiting Sarawak soon to discuss the implementation of the Tamu Desa initiative in the state,” he added.
