RANAU: State Finance Minister’s Political Secretary Johari Suhaimin said cooperatives play a vital role in strengthening community-based tourism, particularly in Kundasang, where homestays rooted in local culture continue to attract domestic and international visitors.
Speaking at the 2026 annual general meeting of Homestay Walai Tokou Kundasang Berhad Cooperative in Kundasang on Saturday, he said the cooperative provides not only comfortable accommodation but also an authentic cultural experience that reflects the traditions and way of life of the local community.
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Johari said the cooperative has helped generate income opportunities for its members while promoting local customs and heritage, noting that such efforts contribute directly to the socio-economic wellbeing of residents in the area.
However, he acknowledged that the cooperative faces challenges such as competition from commercial accommodation, the need to upgrade facilities, improve service quality and adopt digital technology for marketing, as tourist arrivals to Kundasang continue to rise alongside rapid development.
“I hope the cooperative will seriously consider improvements, especially in facilities such as parking spaces and building safety, to ensure visitors’ comfort and security, which will ultimately benefit all parties,” he said.
Johari also urged the cooperative to remain open to change by strengthening governance, enhancing members’ skills through training and ensuring disciplined and professional management so it remains relevant and competitive.
He commended the board of directors and management for steering the cooperative through a challenging tourism environment over the past year, saying its continued operation proved that community-based homestay cooperatives have strong economic potential when well managed.
Outlining expectations for 2026, Johari said the cooperative should focus on improving governance, upgrading homestay services and facilities, expanding collaboration with tourism agencies and government bodies, and leveraging digital marketing to attract more visitors and deliver fair returns to members.
