Kota Kinabalu: Malaysia Co-operative Institute (Ikma) Deputy Director-General Mohd Zaib Mat Yunus announced that Ikma has plans to implement 650 training programmes nationwide with a budget allocation of RM9.4 million.
He said this national-scale planning reflects the institute’s ongoing commitment to strengthening human capital development and supporting the progress of cooperatives throughout the country.
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He also emphasised that cooperatives remain a vital instrument for empowering the people’s economy in an inclusive, ethical and sustainable manner.
“In an increasingly challenging and competitive global economic landscape, a nation’s strength does not rely solely on large corporations, but is also determined by the resilience of small and medium enterprises and the strength of the cooperative movement,” he said during his speech at the JOM@COOP Programme & Academic Discourse closing ceremony on Thursday.
Mohd Zaib urged that in line with the national business development direction through the ABCD Strategy comprising Productivity Shift (Anjakan Produktiviti), Bureaucratic Simplification (Birokrasi Dipermudahkan), Access to Capital (Capaian Modal) and Market Access Capability (Daya Akses Pasaran), cooperatives must emerged as one of the main drivers of community and local economic development.
“At Ikma, we have responded to the Minister’s call by sharpening our focus and improving work processes.
“In the same spirit, the cooperative movement must strengthen its capabilities, enhance professionalism, and undertake comprehensive strategic shifts to ensure sustainability, competitiveness, and excellence,” he added.
He also reaffirmed the role of Ikma as the nation’s leading cooperative education institution, with this year marking its Platinum Jubilee of 70 years since its establishment in 1956.
The anniversary tagline – “Educating Cooperatives, Upholding a Legacy” – emphasises that the strength and resilience of the cooperative movement are not built on financial capital alone, but are driven by knowledge, values, professionalism and good governance.
In regards to the Academic Discourse, Mohd Zaib said it serves as a platform for sharing knowledge and intellectual enrichment in order to strengthen cooperative leadership capacity so it remains relevant to contemporary demands.
“The Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) approach provides important exposure for leaders to understand the relationship between mind, language and behaviour which will enhance their communication skills.
“They will also learn to manage conflict, emotions and motivation more effectively, and make more conscious and strategic decisions,” he said.
He stressed that the JOM@COOP Programme is not merely a promotional programme, but an effort to build awareness that cooperative success begins with the quality of leadership, management and human capital development.
“Continuous cooperative training and education form a crucial foundation to ensure cooperatives can contribute meaningfully to community and national economic development,” he said.
