Form co-op and group to alleviate poverty, Upko divisions are told
Published on: Tuesday, November 14, 2023
Ewon said the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives through the Malaysian Cooperative Commission (SKM) has prepared price stabilization proposals through the cooperative movement to ensure that the price of basic goods sold in urban cooperatives is the same as the price sold in rural cooperatives through transport subsidies to the distributor cooperative. - Bernama pic
KOTA MARUDU: United Kinabalu Progressive Organisation (Upko) President Datuk Ewon Benedick encourages party divisions to work together to alleviate poverty in their respective areas by forming at least one cooperative and association.
According to Ewon, who is also the Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, the formation of cooperatives and associations can serve as a platform for the development of entrepreneurship and people’s talents in their particular fields.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Upko Zone A, which includes Kudat, Kota Marudu, and Kota Belud, is depressed because these districts are among the poorest in Sabah and Malaysia.Therefore, Upko must play a role in changing this position through cooperative actions and associations within its different divisions.
“Upko must be effective not only to voice the problems of the people, but to be part of the solution. Through the cooperative movement, we can generate entrepreneurial activities for the people. Through the association movement, we can generate educational activities and people’s skills,” he said.
Ewon said this while speaking at the Upko Zone A Convention held at the Pekan Tandek Open Hall, here, Monday.
Also present were Upko Honorary President cum Tuaran Member of Parliament Datuk Madius Tangau, Kudat Upko Division Head Junsim Rumunzing, Kota Marudu Upko Division Head Jamil Majingkin and Organizing Chairman Carlye Lajimin.
ADVERTISEMENT
Ewon said the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives through the Malaysian Cooperative Commission (SKM) has prepared price stabilization proposals through the cooperative movement to ensure that the price of basic goods sold in urban cooperatives is the same as the price sold in rural cooperatives through transport subsidies to the distributor cooperative.
“I have raised this matter in the cabinet and the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) has asked me to present the details. So my Ministry has held several discussions and I will bring the details to the Prime Minister and the next Cabinet.
ADVERTISEMENT
“In addition, through cooperatives we can also help the marketing of various products and services for its members. This includes cooperatives venturing into the food security sector such as growing rice and other crops or livestock that contribute to the country’s food security.
“We have an asset which is land. Our country is still dependent on rice imports. If this rice producing country stops exporting to our country, we can face a rice supply crisis. Therefore, cooperatives can be established to venture into the field of food security including rice cultivation to guarantee the supply of rice in the country,” he said.
Ewon also said that the Madani Budget 2024 also allocates RM1 billion for Madani community programs and RM6.8 billion for skills programs in the field of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
“I would like to see the party divisions able to establish at least one association to generate economic activities, skills and education of the people in their respective divisions. My job is to facilitate so that each Division can bring the facilities available in the budget to the community including in the development of youth entrepreneurship.
“As President of Upko, I focus on two main areas which are entrepreneurship development and leadership. We have appointed party leaders who have strong background to various government agencies to develop Sabah’s entrepreneurs and then build a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with government agencies to ensure that the educational funding agenda for students in need can be provided,” he said.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
.jpg)
.jpg)
