Sandakan: The tourism potential of Tanjung Aru Island can serve as a new catalyst for local economic development, particularly in empowering micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) directly involved in the community-based tourism industry, said Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Datuk Mohamad Alamin. He highlighted the area's unique attractions, including a water village, traditional food products, and marine activities, which can be developed into high-impact tourism offerings.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohamad Alamin emphasized the potential for homestays and tourism assets, as well as the expansion of activities such as deep-sea fishing to attract both domestic and foreign tourists. These are opportunities that need development, he stated during an engagement session with the local entrepreneurial community.

Under the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP), various funds have been made available to support community-based tourism development, especially in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026. This includes the development of homestays, expansion of tourism jetties, and the addition of tourism assets and activities.

Mohamad stressed the importance of an integrated approach among agencies like the National Entrepreneurial Group Economic Fund (TEKUN Nasional), Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM), Small and Medium Enterprises Corporation Malaysia (SME Corp), SME Bank, and Bank Rakyat to ensure government assistance meets grassroots entrepreneurs' needs effectively. He urged the Director-General of these agencies to collaborate in assisting entrepreneurs and promised continued support through engagement sessions.

Pulau Tanjung Aru, a water village inhabited by a fishing community, is located about three nautical miles (5.5 kilometres) from Sandakan and is accessible only by boat. The village is home to the Brunei ethnic community, a minority group in Sabah, predominantly found in Membakut, Beaufort, Labuan, and Brunei.