PENAMPANG: The decades-old Donggongon weekly market, or "tamu", here finally saw some progress after an announcement of upgrading work was made six years ago.
Former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who did a walkabout of the tamu in January 2018, had then announced a RM8.5 million upgrading budget for the market.
That same year, Najib's Barisan Nasional administration was replaced by the Pakatan Harapan-led government.
Today, Penampang Member of Parliament (MP) Datuk Ewon Benedick said Sabah Public Works had started with the procurement and hoped that the project would be completed as soon as possible.
"This project is one of the delayed initiatives in Penampang, and I feel responsible to ensure it starts and is completed during my tenure as the MP.
"Therefore, when I received the mandate as Penampang MP in December 2022, my first action was to bring the director-general of the Prime Minister's Department's ICU (implementation and coordination unit), Datuk Ruji Ubi, for a joint inspection of Tamu Donggongon. I pressed for its expedited progress," he said.
Ewon, who is also Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives minister, said this after handing over canopy donations worth over RM66,000 to 434 small traders and hawkers at Tamu Donggongon.
He also thanked the Penampang District Council and all technical departments involved, particularly for preserving the original identity of Tamu Donggongon in the new design.
The traders, previously operating at Tamu Donggongon, have been temporarily moved to near the Datuk Peter Mojuntin Memorial to facilitate early upgrading work for the market.
Tamu Donggongon has been a "resting area" for people from the hills and fishermen since the 1950s.
"As the MP for Penampang, I have fulfilled their request by providing each trader with a canopy. I hope this helps them continue their entrepreneurial activities," he said.