RANAU: Yayasan Usaha Maju (YUM) continues to play a crucial role in strengthening the socio-economic standing of Sabah’s rural communities through its microcredit programmes, said Sabah Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.
Masidi, whose speech was delivered by his Political Secretary Johari Suhaimin, said YUM has evolved beyond being merely a microfinance institution and has become an important platform for community development, entrepreneurship and poverty eradication across the state.
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He noted that under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development framework, entrepreneurship development, poverty reduction and socio-economic advancement remain among the government’s key priorities to ensure no community is left behind in the state’s development journey.
Masidi highlighted YUM’s impressive achievements, revealing that as of May 31, 2026, the organisation had disbursed cumulative loans amounting to RM886.2 million to entrepreneurs throughout Sabah.
He said YUM also recorded its highest-ever annual loan disbursement in 2025, providing RM76.5 million in financing to 10,833 borrowers statewide, reflecting growing public confidence in the agency’s programmes and services.
“These figures are not merely statistics. They represent opportunities created, businesses developed and lives transformed through entrepreneurship,” he said.
The Minister also commended YUM’s outstanding loan repayment performance, which recorded a repayment rate of 99.13 per cent over the past seven years from 2019 to 2025.
He attributed the achievement to the strong commitment, discipline and integrity demonstrated by borrowers, the majority of whom are women entrepreneurs who have responsibly managed their loans and businesses.
Beyond financial success, Masidi said YUM has also made a significant social impact, with more than 20 per cent of participants who were previously below the Poverty Line Income successfully moving out of poverty through their involvement in YUM’s microcredit programmes.
He described the achievement as clear evidence that effective government policies, combined with determination from the people and institutional support, can bring about meaningful socio-economic transformation.
To further strengthen the programme, Masidi said the Sabah Government has allocated RM12.12 million under the 2026 State Budget to support YUM’s operations, development initiatives and technological improvements.
He welcomed YUM’s efforts to embrace digital transformation through payment platforms such as Sabah Pay and YONO, describing the move as consistent with the state’s digitalisation agenda and efforts to improve service delivery.
Masidi also encouraged YUM to expand strategic collaborations with government agencies, financial institutions and the private sector to create wider market opportunities for entrepreneurs, particularly through digital and e-commerce platforms.
“Quality local products from Ranau have tremendous potential to reach wider markets if promoted strategically through digital platforms,” he said.
