KENINGAU (Sabah, Malaysia) – 7 August 2025: In a major boost to Sabah’s entrepreneurial landscape, TEKUN Nasional has disbursed a total of RM1.2 billion to 66,350 entrepreneurs in the state since its establishment in 1998, said Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, Datuk Ewon Benedick.
Speaking at the official launch of the TEKUN Nasional Basic Entrepreneurship Seminar at Hotel Juta, Keningau, Ewon revealed that within the Keningau parliamentary constituency alone, a total of RM52 million had been channelled to 2,821 entrepreneurs, reflecting the government’s sustained focus on strengthening local economies.
“For the year 2025, TEKUN has already disbursed RM55 million to 1,108 entrepreneurs across Sabah. In Keningau alone, RM3.5 million has been distributed to 237 entrepreneurs,” he said.
TEKUN Nasional has not only acted as a micro-financing institution but also as a vital platform for entrepreneurship development. As of 31 July 2025, the agency has organised 1,059 series of Basic Entrepreneurship Seminars nationwide, involving over 315,000 entrepreneur participants, making it one of the largest capacity-building efforts in the country.
“Entrepreneurship is not just about capital — it’s about knowledge, skills, and access to supportive networks. For budding entrepreneurs, guidance programmes like this are crucial,” Ewon stressed.
He emphasised that entrepreneurship must be recognised as a strategic engine of economic growth, not only in creating job opportunities but also in narrowing socio-economic gaps, especially in rural and underserved areas.
Ewon further elaborated on the MADANI Government’s commitment to empowering Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as a central pillar of national development.
“In 2023 alone, MSMEs contributed RM613.1 billion or 39.1% to Malaysia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and created 7.86 million jobs, equivalent to 48.5% of total employment,” he said.
He noted that this performance clearly reflects the critical role of MSMEs in driving the domestic economy, comparable to advanced nations such as Japan, South Korea, and Germany, where MSMEs contribute over 50% to GDP.
In line with the aspirations of the National Entrepreneurship Policy 2030 (NEP2030), the government targets for MSMEs to contribute at least 50% of GDP by 2030, supported through financing, capacity building, and digitalisation initiatives.
Ewon expressed his appreciation for TEKUN Nasional’s impactful contributions in building a more inclusive and resilient entrepreneurial ecosystem throughout Malaysia. He expressed hope that such seminars would inspire more individuals to embark on their entrepreneurial journey.
“Sabah holds tremendous potential in both natural resources and human capital. With continued support and the right exposure, I am confident that more successful entrepreneurs will emerge from Sabah,” he said.
This announcement stands as further testimony to the MADANI Government’s ongoing efforts to democratise economic opportunities, especially in rural and interior regions. With TEKUN Nasional continuing to play a vital role in supporting micro and informal entrepreneurs, the future of entrepreneurship in Sabah looks increasingly promising and globally competitive.
