Mindet, INSKEN to roll out five entrepreneurship programmes across Sabah this year

KOTA KINABALU (Feb 20): The Sabah Ministry of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport (Mindet) will partner with the National Entrepreneurship Institute (INSKEN) to implement two Masterclass Programmes and three Bangkit Programmes across the state this year.

Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Ewon Benedick, who is also Mindet Minister, said the programmes, to be held in Kota Kinabalu and Kundasang, will focus on sectors including agriculture, the creative industries, and eco-tourism.

He welcomed INSKEN’s collaboration with other Sabah state agencies, including the Industrial Development and Research department.

“I appreciate the initiatives undertaken by INSKEN thus far in developing entrepreneurs in Sabah.

“For the 2025 programme, under the initiatives implemented by INSKEN in Sabah, 72 per cent of entrepreneurs recorded a minimum 25 per cent increase in sales revenue, created 128 new job opportunities, generated a 6.1 times return on programme funding allocation, achieved an average profit margin increase of 44 per cent, and through INSKEN mini coaching, 95 per cent of entrepreneurs successfully improved their products or services based on measured aspects,” he said during a courtesy call from an INSKEN led by its Chief Executive Officer Viviantie Sarjuni.

Ewon also congratulated Viviantie on receiving the Schwab Foundation Award at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos.

Meanwhile, Viviantie highlighted the impact of the Look East Policy, introduced by Ewon during his tenure at the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (Kuskop), in transforming entrepreneurship development in Sabah.

“I am proud that through the Look East Policy we have gained international recognition. We did not apply for it; rather, they evaluated the work carried out, including INSKEN’s efforts, before deciding to confer the award.

“We are the first Malaysians to receive the award. Ewon has left many legacies at KUSKOP and, as a Sabahan, I am very proud. I am also pleased that many programmes will be implemented jointly with Mindet moving forward,” she said.

In addition to the five programmes planned with Mindet this year, Viviantie said INSKEN will continue expanding entrepreneurship initiatives across Sabah’s districts to reach more communities.

Highlighting the achievements of the INSKEN Sabah Mentoring Programme 2025, she said four cohorts of the INSKEN Bumiputera Business Coaching (IBBC) programme generated an additional RM3.9 million in sales value.

Overall, 72 per cent of participating entrepreneurs recorded measurable improvements in business performance.

She also informed that five IBBC participants in Sabah were listed among the best participants of the INSKEN Sabah Mentoring Programme 2025.

They are Mohd Hafiz Abdullah, operator of Sorrow Beach Ecotourism, Tanjung Bangau, Kudat, who achieved a 447 per cent increase in sales revenue; Juhilin Tutun from Beaufort with a 72 per cent increase; Dul Alis, a café and restaurant operator who recorded a 205 per cent increase; Nurasyikin Norbin from Kota Belud who achieved a 179 per cent increase through her food stall business; and Izhan Nasriq Imran from Penampang, producer of Dimna Soda, who recorded a sales increase of up to 361 per cent.