TEKUN Entrepreneurs move towards Business digitalisation

16 January 2025

By AVV

KOTA BELUD: The TEKUN National Basic Entrepreneurship Seminar, a one-day event, was inaugurated today by Datuk Ewon Benedick, the Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, at Tag Valley. Designed to offer valuable insights and essential skills in entrepreneurship, the seminar targeted small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and individuals looking to enter the entrepreneurial landscape. It attracted 300 participants, primarily comprising TEKUN entrepreneurs from the Kota Belud branch.

One of the participants, Zinin Daruan, who manages Eco Camp Bayayat Kadamaian in Kota Belud, said, “Today was truly special for me, as the entrepreneurship seminar offered invaluable insights, particularly on effective product marketing. The emphasis on digitalisation was impressive, demonstrating its potential to reach our target audience effectively.”

“I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to TEKUN for granting me a loan of RM15,000 a while back, which has significantly helped improve my business operations and enhance our tourism attractions. I am also grateful to Datuk Ewon for his unwavering support and efforts, which have provided us with an excellent opportunity to advance our entrepreneurial endeavours in the tourism sector here in Kota Belud. I hope that these initiatives continue to empower others, especially those just starting out in their entrepreneurial journeys across various fields.”

Lantikan Surag said, “I'm from Kampung Tuguson, but my business operates from a location in Kampung Rojunah, where I own a piece of land. Initially, I set up a small retail stall. As an elderly individual, I found it challenging to source products for sale, so I decided to monetise the stall by renting it out.”

“With a loan of RM5,000 from TEKUN, I was able to build additional stalls. By collecting rental income from my previous venture, I further invested in building a more robust structure – a 10-door building, conveniently situated along the main road."

"I'd like to express my heartfelt gratitude to TEKUN for their role in helping me launch this business.”

Rozeeh Limpu is involved in education, providing private tutoring services in Kampung Piasau.

“I offer tuition for children aged 4 to 12 years, with five students in each class. I have been operating the tuition class for over three years. To launch my business, I got an initial loan of RM3,000 from TEKUN, which I used to purchase the necessary tools for my business.”

She later borrowed RM5,000 from the same source to purchase classroom supplies and for renovations. The classes cover subjects including Malay, Mathematics, Science, and Arts and Crafts.

“Presently, I operate from home, but I hope to expand to a better and larger place in the future and to help underprivileged children who couldn’t afford to attend tuition.”

Samsuriah Madmusa has been running a hardware and machinery business in Kota Belud for the past three years. With a strong passion for entrepreneurship, she has successfully established a loyal customer base and consistently delivered high-quality services to the community.

In 2022, she acquired a TEKUN loan of RM30,000 to fuel the growth of her business, and she is pleased to report that it has been a profitable venture so far. However, with a growing customer base and increasing demand for her services, she wants to expand her business and hopes to secure a larger loan injection from TEKUN to help her expand her operations and increase product offerings.

“I thank TEKUN for the support and Datuk Ewon Benedick for his encouragement.”

Salina Liena Etong, from Kg Labuan, loves making sambal and has concocted several types of sambals, including anchovies and salted fish. They are preserved in containers and sold at her stall along the Kota Belud bypass road.

“I find the sales quite encouraging, and I am now supplying my wares to some shops in Kota Belud. I can sell around forty to fifty containers in a week or two. I am very pleased with this, and I have borrowed RM15,000 from TEKUN to expand my business. I am still paying for it, but I hope that when I finish paying, I can borrow more to expand further.”

Angie Saip operates a food stall called Sri Muslim in Kg Piasau, selling nasi lemak, soto rojak, and chicken rice. She has been running the business since 2018. She took a loan from TEKUN at that time for RM5,000, and in 2023, she borrowed an additional RM8,000.

“My business has been doing fairly well, especially when the weather is good, as customers come to visit. I also make sure to update my menu regularly to keep my customers interested in coming back. I would like to express my gratitude to TEKUN for helping me with my business venture, as well as to Datuk Ewon, who is a dedicated leader.”

Jilly Hazel Chee from Kg Rangalau, sells women’s and children’s attire from home. She said the online business is quite lucrative, and she is currently operating her business at home through Instagram.

She initially borrowed RM5,000 and hopes to borrow more in the future. She said it really helps her in her business.

“I wish to thank everyone who has encouraged and supported me in my endeavours, especially TEKUN for granting me the loan.”

They all agreed that the one-day seminar today was tremendously helpful and provided them with insights on advancing their businesses through digitalisation.