DatukJames received a souvenir presented by the organizer
KOTA KINABALU: A total of 41 excellent entrepreneurs and businessmen have been selected as recipients of the Sabah Trusted Brand Award (STBA) for the year 2023.
The awarding program took place in a ceremony officiated by the Minister of Community Development and People’s Well-being Sabah, Datuk James Ratib.
In his speech, he congratulated the Sabah National Consumer Action Council (MTPN) and Sabah MTPN Chairman Kevin Lo for ensuring that the event ran successfully.
“I understand that the recipients of this celebrated award are those who have shown excellence and high commitment in identifying and promoting local brand businesses in addition to determining their purpose, objectives and value to consumers.
“It will help consumers understand the purpose of the brand’s business and what it wants to achieve and to help both consumers and SMEs make the best and best choices.
“For your information, the government is always committed to creating a conducive and innovative business environment, in line with the MTPN STBA award today,” he said.

One of the company’s Managing Directors received the STBA award presented by Datuk James
James, who is also the Sugut Assemblyman, said this in conjunction with the “Sabah Trusted Brand Award (STBA) 2023” Award Ceremony held at the Sabah International Convention Center (SICC) on Sunday.
He hopes that this program can encourage local traders and entrepreneurs to continue to give commitment and effort to improve productivity and high quality service in prioritizing their respective product brands.
This, he said, thus making the service of the traders remain a service that is relevant and trusted by users, as well as meeting their wishes and expectations.
In the meantime, he said, this recognition should also create healthy competition among all local entrepreneurs to prove their ability to produce the best consumer services.
“On behalf of the ministries and agencies under me, I always appreciate the sacrifices and efforts of all the ladies and gentlemen who are committed to achieving and pursuing service excellence in their respective fields for the success of themselves, the organization, the nation and the country.
“Hopefully, this recognition will reawaken the spirit of devotion to the country and increase the determination to work harder and more diligently in the future to raise the brand of each product at the national level as well as at the global level,” he said.
James called on all the entrepreneurs involved to use the award as a starting point to continue to drive business achievements and customer service more prominently on par with the achievements in developed countries.
“I hope that those selected as award recipients tonight should be role models for others to continue working hard so that the targeted goals are achieved,” he said.
He added that the research done by MTPN through consumer complaints, shows that most consumers have problems with traders who do not follow their wishes and satisfaction and they do not know their rights as consumers.
“Therefore, with the existence of such a program to some extent it can help users choose the best service.
“A service that is always close to the user needs to be seen as a service that always makes integrity the main core in every practice.
“Regarding that, a work culture that combines discipline, responsibility, integrity and accountability as well as maintaining confidentiality needs to be the identity of every trader in carrying out daily transactions,” he said.
James challenged entrepreneurs and businessmen to continue the excellence of service delivery that can bring a big change to the country and then become an engine that drives the local economy, further providing more job opportunities.