By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, July 30: The Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP) will hold further discussions with the Sarawak government to determine a new implementation mechanism for the Projek Tamu Desa (Rural Market Project) in 2025, with RM20 million allocated under Budget 2025 for Sabah and Sarawak.
Its Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said the discussions are important to coordinate current needs and address requests from several Sarawak Members of Parliament (MPs) who want the rural market upgrading project to be extended to remote areas.
“For Sarawak this year, we will hold discussions with the State government to determine the implementation mechanism, especially in light of requests from several Members of Parliament (MPs) who want rural markets to also receive support.
“I will be meeting with the Sarawak government, particularly Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, as we worked closely with his ministry last year to ensure the smooth implementation of the Tamu Desa project,” he said during a press conference after inspecting the implementation of the Projek Tamu Desa at Sungai Apong Market here today (July 30).
Ewon also noted that Sarawak was among the first states to implement the project when it was introduced in 2024, with 39 projects carried out at a total cost of RM7,849,393.
For 2025, KUSKOP has again been allocated RM20 million under the federal budget to continue implementing the project in Sabah and Sarawak.
“As with last year, we received RM10 million under Budget 2025, and an additional RM10 million was announced by the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) during the Program Madani Rakyat in Tawau,” the minister added.
He said this year’s focus will also include rural and interior areas, in line with feedback received from four Sarawak MPs who have submitted formal applications to his ministry.
“I believe it is appropriate to provide space for implementation in villages and remote areas, but this must first be discussed with the Sarawak government,” he emphasised.
Ewon further highlighted that last year, the Sarawak government chose to implement the project in areas under the administration of local authorities and municipal councils, as well as in rural areas identified by the respective MPs.
Meanwhile, Pasar Sungai Apong, which was allocated approximately RM363,000 for upgrades, stands as one of the early success stories of the project’s implementation, with the minister expressing satisfaction with the results.
Also present were Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng and Deputy Mayor Dato Zaiedi Suhaili. — DayakDaily
