Kota kinabalu: The Sabah-level 2025 Tunas Niaga Programme (PROTUNE) has achieved remarkable success, generating more than RM1.4 million in sales and RM380,098.41 in net profit over its nine-month implementation period, as announced by Sabah Deputy Chief Minister III, Datuk Ewon Benedick.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Datuk Ewon highlighted that the programme's success is a testament to the commitment, creativity, and dedication of the students and their teacher advisers involved in developing their respective school companies. He emphasized that true success is not merely measured by sales or profit but also by the skills and experiences gained, including confidence, leadership, communication, problem-solving, and teamwork.
The programme, organized by SEDCovest Holdings Sdn Bhd-a subsidiary of the Sabah Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO)-in collaboration with the Sabah Education Department, involved 45 schools statewide, with 15 schools advancing to the final stage. Ewon, who also serves as the state's Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship, and Transport, expressed the hope that the experience and knowledge gained through PROTUNE would cultivate a new generation of entrepreneurs capable of competing in the market and creating job opportunities. This aligns with the Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0 roadmap and the Sabah First vision.
Ewon further assured that the state government, through his ministry, would continue to support PROTUNE by allocating entrepreneurship development funds to SEDCovest. This support aims to ensure the ongoing development of entrepreneurship at the school level.
He also noted the programme's positive impact, as evidenced by alumni statistics: 68 per cent of participants pursued further studies, 21 per cent entered the workforce, nine per cent sought employment, and two per cent ventured into entrepreneurship. Ewon expressed a desire for the programme to be strengthened further to nurture more creative, innovative, and competitive young entrepreneurs, thereby contributing to Sabah's economic development.