PENAMPANG: Penampang Member of Parliament, Datuk Ewon Benedick, has donated RM30,000 to the Penampang Police Officers’ Club as a token of appreciation for their service in maintaining public order and national security.
Ewon, who is also the Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, presented the donation during the 218th Police Day Commemoration at the Penampang District Police Headquarters.
“As I mentioned during the recent buka puasa event with officers from IPD Penampang, today I am delivering a RM30,000 contribution from the parliamentary allocation to the Penampang Police Officers’ Club.
“Although this amount is small compared to their dedication and sacrifices, it is a gesture of appreciation for the vital role played by the police in safeguarding the nation’s peace and security,” he said.
In a separate event held in Kudat, Ewon approved an allocation of RM300,000 for the construction of a tamu desa in Tomborungus.
“I am very satisfied with the implementation of the tamu desa in Sikuati, Kudat, and Matunggong, as well as the various cooperative development assistance provided.
“During this working visit, I was informed by the Kudat Member of Parliament, Datuk Verdon Bahanda, about the need for an additional tamu desa in Tomborungus.
“At present, entrepreneurs in the area are still using canopies. After assessing the necessity, I have agreed to approve an allocation of RM300,000 to enable the construction of a tamu desa this year,” he said.
Ewon hopes that the facility will benefit local entrepreneurs, just as traders in tamu desa Sikuati have.
He emphasised the additional focus of the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP) on Sabah and Sarawak, without compromising its existing nationwide priorities, in line with the Look East Within The Nation Policy (KUSKOP Perspective).
For the year 2024, KUSKOP and its agencies have channelled RM9.577 billion in financing and grants to 333,625 micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and cooperatives nationwide.
Out of this amount, RM1.088 billion was allocated to 42,688 MSMEs and cooperatives in Sarawak, while RM813 million was channelled to 53,398 MSMEs and cooperatives in Sabah.
Additionally, Ewon highlighted the Ehsan@KUSKOP initiative, aimed at complementing educational development efforts by assisting hardcore poor families in Sabah.
As a pilot project, this programme is being implemented in three parliamentary constituencies in northern Sabah: Kudat, Kota Marudu, and Kota Belud.
“This initiative is KUSKOP’s response to the Prime Minister’s mandate and part of the ministry’s efforts to reduce the high poverty rate in Sabah,” he said. – Wu Vuide
