Tanjung Keramat traders urged to tap government aid under SMJ 2.0

PUTATAN (Feb 28): Traders in Putatan, particularly in Tanjung Keramat, have been urged to remain attentive to the various forms of assistance channelled by the government to strengthen the local economic chain.

Tanjung Keramat assemblyman Shah Alfie Yahya said traders from hawkers and small-scale operators to entrepreneurs, must be aware of the support mechanisms made available by the Sabah government under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor.

He said the business community should wisely seize the opportunities provided, especially with the introduction of initiatives under the recently launched Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0 (SMJ 2.0).

“There are actually many plans introduced by the government, including SMJ 2.0, which outlines initiatives to assist traders. This includes the SME-UP initiative, human capital development and others.

“At the state constituency level, empowering traders and entrepreneurs is part of the Tanjung Keramat economic agenda.

“We will continue to play the role of facilitator between the local community and relevant government agencies or departments, particularly in matters of financing and start-up support, to strengthen the economic chain in our constituency,” he said.

He was speaking after officiating the Ukhwah Ramadan Bubur Lambuk Programme organised by the Kota Kinabalu Sahabat Ikhtiar Entrepreneur Club (KUSIKK) in collaboration with Sahabat Blok Petagas at Masjid Al-Mahabah in Kampung Muhibbah near here.

Also present were Angkatan Ikrar Malaysia (AIM) Kota Kinabalu Senior Branch Manager Adzam Supri, KUSIKK chairman Wan Raizah Matsah, Tanjung Keramat Community Development Leader (PPM) Latip Jiar and Tanjung Keramat Community Development Officer Syed Arizal Karim.

Meanwhile, elaborating on the programme, Shah Alfie said besides enlivening the month of Ramadan, such events serve as meaningful platforms to encourage the involvement of the public, village residents and local entrepreneurs.

“What has been carried out is indeed commendable, in addition to fulfilling each party’s corporate social responsibility (CSR).

“We hope such initiatives will continue in the future, not only during Ramadan but also in other months, as an effort to introduce the club and programmes undertaken by the organisers such as AIM and KUSIKK,” he said.