KOTA KINABALU: The Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP) has allocated RM813.4 million to support 53,395 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and cooperatives in Sabah throughout 2024.
Its Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick stated that the funding is being distributed through various KUSKOP agencies, including Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM), TEKUN Nasional, Bank Rakyat, SME Bank, SME Corp, Pernas, and the Malaysian Cooperative Commission (SKM).
Additionally, he said that the National Entrepreneurship Institute (INSKEN) conducted 41 training and entrepreneurship guidance programs in Sabah last year, benefiting a total of 1,585 entrepreneurs.
“KUSKOP has also launched the special Ehsan@KUSKOP program aimed at eradicating poverty in Sabah.
“To support this initiative, the Bank Rakyat Foundation has allocated RM3 million to implement the program starting this year in three districts identified as having high poverty rates: Kudat, Kota Marudu, and Kota Belud.
“Efforts are underway to provide educational assistance to school students from the eKasih database, particularly in these three districts,” he said.
He made these remarks during the Sabah Media Appreciation Night 2025 event here on Monday.
Ewon, who is also the Member of Parliament for Penampang and the State Assemblyman for Kadamaian, noted that out of the total funding distributed in Sabah last year, RM20.95 million was allocated in the Penampang constituency, benefiting 478 SME and cooperative entrepreneurs.
“In the Kadamaian constituency, RM16.58 million was disbursed to 1,683 entrepreneurs and SMEs over the past year.
He added that the Look East Policy in the Nation: KUSKOP Perspective has also been introduced to provide additional focus on Sabah and Sarawak.
