Tenom: Malaysia’s diverse indigenous cultural heritage presents vast opportunities for economic development through cooperative initiatives, said Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick.
He said his Ministry and related agencies including the Malaysia Cooperative Commission, will continue providing funding support to strengthen cooperative movements among indigenous communities nationwide.
“We have agreed to organise the Malaysia Indigenous Cooperative Conference in Perak as part of efforts to drive cooperative development among indigenous communities across the country,” Ewon said at the Momogun Carnival celebrating World Indigenous Day 2025.
He urged communities to fully utilise their cultural heritage and traditions including traditional clothing, as income sources and tourist attractions for their villages and districts through cooperative management.
The carnival, themed “Fostering Unity through Culture” was held at the Sabah Murut Cultural Centre and organised by the Momogun National Congress (MNC) in collaboration with various government agencies.
Ewon said such celebrations not only strengthen indigenous identity and customs but also serve as reminders of United Nations recognition of these communities.
He called on indigenous communities to prioritise economic development, particularly through entrepreneurship and cooperatives, welcoming MNC’s initiative to hold an economic and entrepreneurship seminar this year.
He said the Federal Constitution provides special protection and status to indigenous communities, including rights in public service, scholarships, education and other facilities for indigenous peoples, Malays and natives of Sabah and Sarawak.
As a Cabinet member from the indigenous community, Ewon pledged to continue championing constitutional rights while emphasising the need for unity and cooperation among all indigenous communities.
“This country belongs to all of us. Indigenous communities play an important role in the nation’s future development. Let us work together to build Malaysia into a better nation by instilling a sense of belonging in every citizen,” he said.
