TAMPARULI – The President of the Pertubuhan Gagasan Ekonomi Negeri Sabah (PGENS), Mr Jismit Bin Hj. Japong, officiated the opening of the PGENS Tuaran Branch Office here today, marking a significant milestone in the organisation’s mission to uplift the economic standing of Sabahans, particularly the indigenous communities.
Since its inception, PGENS has remained steadfast in its objective to advocate for the economic empowerment of its members and to open doors for more Sabahans to participate actively in the fields of business and entrepreneurship.
“We are fully aware that many Sabahans, including those in urban centres like Tamparuli, have yet to gain fair and open access to business opportunities,” said Mr Jismit. “Constraints such as lack of capital, limited mentorship, inadequate access to business premises, and insufficient exposure to economic opportunities are real challenges we must face head-on.”
In response to these challenges, Mr Jismit announced that PGENS would initiate a restructuring exercise at both central and branch levels, including the appointment of a more committed and action-orientated leadership team.
“We need leaders who are not just seat-holders but field leaders — those who understand the people’s needs and deliver concrete results. We want officers who can organise entrepreneurship training, facilitate access to business licences and financing, and advocate for the rights of Sabahans at local and national levels,” he added.
The launch of the Tuaran branch office, he said, symbolises PGENS’s grassroots commitment to drive real change from the bottom up. He also revealed that more branch offices will be opened across various districts in the coming weeks as part of a broader movement to unite Sabahans in strengthening the state’s economy.
“We are not here to merely talk about change. We are here to implement it,” he emphasised,” he said.
Mr Jismit concluded by encouraging all members and local residents to use the PGENS Tuaran office as a central hub for information, economic activities, and community empowerment, working together to build a brighter future for the next generation.
