NAJIB: CO-OPS MUST BE VIABLE
Sector contributed to economic growth, says Najib
SOME 13,000 cooperatives in the country must achieve viability and sustainability to remain relevant and successful. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said these two qualities must be supported by good leadership and governance.
“This is important as the cooperative sector has proven to be able to contribute to positive economic growth and creating job opportunities for the people.”
He said Koperasi Profesional Putrajaya Bhd (Koprojaya) had proven that it was able to sustain itself through its income generation, adding that their governance style should be emulated.
Najib, who is Koprojaya’s patron, was speaking at the cooperative’s fourth annual general meeting at the Finance Ministry here.
He said the cooperative sector in the country had a membership of over seven million people and total assets of RM130 billion.
The cooperative industry provides for an employment rate of 12 per cent worldwide.
“I would like our country’s cooperative industry to grow at the same rate, to generate more jobs and to become the third biggest employer after the civil and private sectors,” Najib said.
He said for example, the cooperative sector in Japan, with more than 28 million members, played an integral part in job creation in the country, adding that some 30 per cent of household goods sold there were cooperative products.
He called for the involvement of more youths in the civil service in cooperatives to create change, creativity and innovation.
“This is important in the context of generation renewal, which is much needed to transform and propel the sector towards greater achievements.
Present were Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin, Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, Public Service Department director-general Datuk Seri Zainal Rahim Seman and Koprojaya chairman Muhammad Ammir Haron.
Najib presented letters of appreciation to Koprojaya members.
Koprojaya has 1,398 members comprising young civil servants from various ministries, agencies and government bodies. Among its achievements are its consistent 10 per cent dividend payout to members since 2014.
Amir said he hoped the government would continue to help the cooperative achieve greater success.