Ewon Inspects Kepayan Square and Donggongon Tamu Projects, Ensuring Benefits Reach the People
PENAMPANG, June 5 — Sabah Deputy Chief Minister III and Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport, Datuk Ewon Benedick, today inspected the progress of two major development projects in Penampang — the upgrading of the Kepayan Square Promenade and the construction of the new Donggongon Tamu.
Ewon, who is also the Member of Parliament for Penampang, said both projects are part of ongoing efforts to enhance public infrastructure and provide a more conducive environment for economic and community activities in the district.
He said the Kepayan Square Promenade upgrading project has been fully completed through an allocation of RM1 million from the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT), following a joint application submitted with Kepayan State Assemblywoman Datuk Jannie Lasimbang.
“I would like to express my appreciation to Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming for approving the allocation, which was channelled through Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) to implement this project.
“DBKK is also planning several additional phases of development and improvement works for the area,” he said after visiting the project site here today.
According to Ewon, the upgraded facility will not only benefit the local community and business operators but also serve as a venue for various community and cultural programmes.
He noted that the area had previously hosted community events such as the Lantern Festival and Chinese New Year celebrations organised by the Penampang Member of Parliament Service Centre in collaboration with the Chinese Kapitans of Penampang.
“I am pleased to see that the efforts undertaken earlier have now materialised and can be enjoyed by the local community,” he said.
In a related development, Ewon also inspected the progress of the Donggongon Tamu project, which has achieved 92 per cent physical completion.
He said the RM8.5 million project is being implemented using funding from the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) of the Prime Minister’s Department to provide better and more organised facilities for hawkers and small traders.
According to him, the project was initially scheduled for completion in April 2026 but was granted an extension until December this year following a review of the project scope, particularly involving electrical works.
“I am confident that this new facility will bring significant benefits to hawkers, small traders, visitors and the wider Penampang community.
“Once completed, it will provide a more conducive business environment and help strengthen local economic activities,” he said.
Ewon added that he would continue to monitor the implementation of development projects involving public interests to ensure that planned facilities are completed and fully utilised by the community.
He described the progress of the Donggongon Tamu project, now in its final phase of implementation, as a positive development in efforts to strengthen the small business ecosystem and improve the quality of public infrastructure in Penampang.
