By WU VUIDE
KOTA KINABALU: The Ministry of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship (Mindet) will collaborate with the National Entrepreneurship Institute (Insken) to implement two masterclass programmes and three bangkit programmes in Kota Kinabalu and Kundasang this year, covering agriculture, the creative industry and ecotourism.
Deputy Chief Minister III and Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship, Datuk Ewon Benedick, said the programmes will also include strategic collaboration with the Department of Industrial Development and Research (DIDR).
“For the 2025 initiatives, 72 per cent of entrepreneurs recorded a minimum 25 per cent increase in sales, created 128 new job opportunities, generated a multiplier value of 6.1 times the programme funding, and achieved an average profit margin increase of 44 per cent.
“Through Insken mini coaching, 95 per cent of entrepreneurs successfully improved their products or services based on measurable aspects,” he said during a courtesy call from an Insken delegation led by chief executive officer Viviantie Sarjuni, who recently received the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship Award at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos.
Also present was Insken board of trustees’ deputy chairman Datuk Dr Nayan Yambu @ Laurentius.
Viviantie said the Look East Policy introduced by Ewon during his tenure at the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (Kuskop) three years ago had brought significant changes within Insken.
“I am proud that through the Look East Policy we received international recognition. We did not apply for it; they assessed the work carried out, including Insken’s efforts, before deciding to confer the award.
“We are the first Malaysians to receive the award, and as a Sabahan I am very proud. I am also pleased that many programmes will be implemented jointly with Mindet going forward.”
Viviantie said the Insken Sabah 2025 mentoring programme recorded RM3.9 million in increased sales, generated through four cohorts of the Insken Bumiputera Business Coaching (IBBC).
Overall, 72 per cent of entrepreneurs who participated in last year’s programme recorded encouraging improvements in business performance, including five listed among the best participants.
They are Mohd Hafiz Abdullah, operator of Sorrow Beach Ecotourism in Tanjung Bangau, Kudat, who achieved a 447 per cent increase in sales; Juhilin Tutun from Beaufort, with a 72 per cent increase; Dul Alis, a café and restaurant operator who recorded a 205 per cent increase; Nurasyikin Norbin from Kota Belud, who achieved a 179 per cent increase through her stall business; and Izhan Nasriq Imran from Penampang, producer of Dimna Soda, with sales growth of up to 361 per cent.
Ewon (fourth from right), receiving a souvenir from Nayan as other guests look on.
