Forty-eight Sabah weekly markets — or tamu, as they are locally known — across the state have been upgraded or are in the process of being upgraded as part of a federal initiative to improve rural commerce and bolster food security.
The RM15.6 million project, funded by the federal government through the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA), aims to provide more dignified, weather-resilient trading spaces for small-scale farmers and agropreneurs across the state.
Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup, who officiated the newly completed Pasar Tamu Rancangan Belia Tiulon in Sook, said the upgrades were long overdue.
“Previously, traders here were just using wooden tables and canvas sheets for shade and rain. It wasn’t ideal.
“I see great potential for this area, especially with all the development already happening,” he said during the relaunch of the Sook Tamu on Sunday.
The Sook tamu, which began in 2021 with just eight vendors, has now grown to host 40 permanent traders.
Its upgrade began on September 25, 2024, and was completed in early April this year.
The initiative forms part of FAMA’s wider strategy to modernise rural market infrastructure and enhance the marketing chain for locally grown produce — especially in underserved districts.
Arthur, who is also Pensiangan MP, said the focus was on markets that were no longer structurally suitable or required urgent repairs.
“The goal is not just nicer stalls. “It’s about helping local producers compete, making their products more attractive, and making sure these tamu remain economic anchors for their communities,” he said.
Also present were FAMA Director-General Abdul Rashid Bahri, Sabah and Labuan FAMA Director Sarman Sidno, and FAMA’s Market Division Director Mohd Shahrizan Mansor.
Officials had hoped the new-look tamu will boost foot traffic, enhance hygiene standards, and preserve the spirit of the traditional open-air market — long seen as the heartbeat of rural Sabah.
“It’s not just about infrastructure. “It’s about preserving our culture while helping it evolve,” he said. – June 22, 2025
