By WU VUIDE
PENAMPANG: Deputy Chief Minister III and Sabah Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport Datuk Ewon Benedick has channelled RM155,000 to 25 Chinese associations in the Penampang parliamentary constituency.
Ewon, who is the Member of Parliament for the constituency, said the contribution was part of his continued commitment to supporting community development and local industry players.
He said the initiative stemmed from discussions with the Kapitans of the Chinese community in Penampang, who had previously organised Chinese New Year celebrations and the Lantern Festival.
Six associations received RM10,000 each, while another 19 associations received RM5,000 each.
“I am confident that through close cooperation with associations and industry players, we can elevate economic progress, industrial development, business and entrepreneurship in Sabah,” he said during the Thanksgiving Ceremony and Contribution Presentation to Chinese community associations in Penampang.
The event was organised by the Penampang Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCCI).
Ewon also shared the policies, vision and key focus areas of his ministry, including the implementation of the Sabah First Policy, which emphasises efforts to uplift the people of Sabah so that they can enjoy better opportunities and income through employment and business ownership.
“Upon assuming leadership of this ministry, I stated that I would implement the Sabah First policy in this ministry.
“The Sabah First Policy means that, in addition to supporting the Sabah Maju Jaya Plan and other development plans, I want to see more Sabahans being developed so that they have income, whether as business owners or as employees working with business owners.
“To realise this vision, we must have a clear focus, namely to develop an industrial ecosystem, an entrepreneurship ecosystem and a business ecosystem that is better than what we have had so far,” he said.
He said this was also important in reducing the level of poverty in Sabah, noting that eight out of the 10 poorest districts in Malaysia are located in the state.
“Therefore, I have made the vision of developing Sabahans so that they have income the foundation of my leadership in the ministry.
“By placing agencies related to logistics and transport under my ministry, it will be easier for us to develop a better ecosystem.
“We need to build a stronger industrial, entrepreneurial and business ecosystem, including resolving logistics issues, port congestion, shortages of industrial park space and enhancing the capabilities of Sabah’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs),” he said.
He stressed that the standards and quality of products and services offered by Sabah industry players must continue to be improved so that they can compete not only at the national level but also meet international market standards.
At the same time, Ewon said services provided by the ministry, its agencies and government-linked companies (GLCs) under its purview must be more efficient and responsive to industry needs.
He also said he had proposed to the Sabah Chief Minister that corporate representatives be appointed to the boards of directors of industry-related agencies and GLCs to ensure governance that is more professional and driven by industry needs rather than political interests.
“I believe this approach will bring significant benefits to Sabah, making the state a better destination for investment, business and entrepreneurship, while increasing the income of business owners and creating more job opportunities for the people,” he said.
Ewon stressed that he would continue to work closely with PCCCI and organisations involved in entrepreneurship, business and industry to ensure that Sabah’s economic development agenda can be realised.
Ewon (fifth left), presenting a mock cheque to representatives of the Chinese associations.
