Tenom: The Entrepreneur and Co-operative Development Ministry is bolstering rural co-operative development through various initiatives, including the Jom@Coop Sabah 2025 Programme.
Its Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said this is to ensure the co-operative movement becomes a key driver of rural economic development.
“The Ministry, through the Institut Koperasi Malaysia (IKMa), will continue strengthening education, training and entrepreneurial knowledge-sharing to ensure rural co-operatives remain active, competitive and beneficial to local communities,” he said.
He said this at the Jom@Coop Sabah 2025 Programme held at the Dewan Datuk OKK Sangau Jalang in Melalap, here.
Ewon said the initiative is a strategic platform to transform co-operatives beyond mere business entities into vehicles for enhancing social wellbeing.
He pointed out success stories including Koperasi Piisaan Tambunan Berhad, which has successfully implemented modern hydroponic farming systems and Koperasi Pelancongan Mukim Batu Puteh Kinabatangan Berhad, recognised internationally as a model for sustainable tourism and environmental conservation.
“These achievements serve as excellent examples for other co-operatives to continue innovating and exploring high-potential new sectors to generate community income,” he said.
Sabah remains one of the most active states in the co-operative movement, with 1,994 registered co-operatives involving 375,559 members, share capital of RM273.37 million, assets worth RM1.008 billion and revenue of RM774.45 million as of Dec 31, 2024.
“These figures prove Sabah’s co-operatives have enormous potential to continue growing as catalysts for the people’s economy and contributors to rural community prosperity,” Ewon added.
