Kota kinabalu: The Federal Government should continue funding tamu desa or village market facilities under Budget 2027 to strengthen economic activity in Sabah's villages, Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Ewon Benedick said. He emphasized the importance of maintaining this initiative due to the significant role that weekly tamu desa play in communities across the state.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ewon highlighted that Sabah has about 3,000 villages administered by Village Development and Security Committees (JKKK), most of which hold a weekly tamu. The continuation of such initiatives would allow these rural market facilities to be used for a variety of activities beyond weekly markets, including meetings of the Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia agency, MADANI Rahmah Sales, and community events like weddings.

Ewon, who also serves as Sabah Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport Minister, shared this perspective while speaking to reporters after inaugurating the Kampung Ulu Dusun tamu facility during the Sabah First Local Entrepreneurs Programme. He mentioned that he had recently discussed the matter with the minister, deputy minister, and secretary-general of the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry (KUSKOP), expressing hope that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would consider continuing the initiative.

Reflecting on his experience as the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister, Ewon noted the significant impact that these facilities have on small traders, particularly women and mothers who trade at weekly markets. The provision of such facilities offers greater comfort and enables trading activities to continue regardless of weather conditions.

Meanwhile, Dr Peter Naintin, chairman of Koperasi Usahawan Libaran Sabah Berhad, remarked that rural market facilities offer small traders, including roadside vendors, a safer and more comfortable business environment. He expressed a desire to see more facilities built, such as in Kampung Jaya Bakti next year, highlighting that many entrepreneurs, particularly mothers, are striving to improve their families' economic wellbeing.