KOTA KINABALU: The development of tamu desa, or rural traditional markets, is well underway in Sabah, with 14 of the 36 sites completed last month, said Datuk Ewon Benedick.
The Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister said the 14 sites in Penampang, Kota Marudu, Kota Belud, Sipitang, Nabawan and Tawau districts were initiated under phase one of the development programme.
“Some of the tamu desa that are not yet completed are under construction, while others are in the procurement process,” he said, after speaking to a local radio station on the tamu desa development initiative implementation for Sabah and Sarawak here on Thursday (Sept 19).
“We will discuss the overall progress of the tamu desa implementation in Sabah during the Sabah Development and Entrepreneurship Coordination Committee meeting on Sept 30," he added.
Benedick said he introduced the initiative at the ministry to upgrade existing rural community facilities or to build new premises for street vendors and small traders.
He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the Finance Minister, had allocated RM20mil for this programme under Budget 2024.
“For the first phase, RM10mil is being utilised to develop 36 tamu desa sites in Sabah and 13 in Sarawak.
“The majority have already been completed, including in Sipitang and Kuala Penyu, which will be handed over to the small trader community tomorrow.
"For the second phase, the Ministry is finalising arrangements with the Finance Ministry regarding the allocation for the next tamu desa development,” he said.
Benedick said the project would benefit small traders and visitors to the markets, adding that he intended to make this part of his ministry’s annual initiatives so that more tamu desa sites could be upgraded or developed.
