Tanjung Aru Island’s tourism potential a catalyst for PMKS empowerment – Mohamad Alamin

KINABATANGAN: The tourism potential of Tanjung Aru Island is expected to become a new catalyst for local economic development, especially in empowering micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) involved in the community tourism industry.

Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Datuk Mohamad Alamin said the island stands out with its unique floating villages, traditional food products and marine activities that have the potential to be used as a high-impact tourism attraction.

“I see a lot of potential here, not only for homestays and tourism assets, but also activities such as deep-sea fishing that can attract local and international tourists. This is one of the opportunities we need to develop,” he said after an engagement session with the entrepreneurial community here today.

He said under the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development (KUSKOP), various funds have been provided to support the development of community tourism, especially in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2026, including the development of homestays, the expansion of tourism jetties and the addition of tourism assets and activities.

Mohamad stressed that an integrated approach between agencies such as TEKUN Nasional, Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM), SME Corp, SME Bank and Bank Rakyat is important to ensure that government assistance truly reaches entrepreneurs at the grassroots level.

“I ask all agencies to work in an integrated manner to help entrepreneurs, and God willing, I will continue to come down for engagement sessions and interact directly with them,” he said.
A floating village inhabited by a fishing community, Tanjung Aru Island is located about three nautical miles (5.5 km) from Sandakan town and is only accessible by boat.

The island is inhabited by ethnic Bruneians, a minority tribe in Sabah who are mostly only found in Membakut, Beaufort, Labuan and Brunei.

— BERNAMA