Cooperative to help improve people's socioeconomic status – rep

BEAUFORT: The establishment of youth and women's cooperative in the Lumadan state constituency at the end of December last year is seen as a starting point to improve the socio-economic status of the locals, especially the youths.

Lumadan assemblyman Ruslan Muharam said the cooperative would help open up opportunity for youths, especially those who have graduated and want to find a job, to venture into business.

"I want to guide them to become successful entrepreneurs because business is a huge field and I am confident that the establishment of the cooperative will pave the way for the people in this area," he told Bernama.

Ruslan said he would use his 10-year experience as the chairman of Jaya Murni Beaufort Cooperative to produce more local entrepreneurs.

He said various forms of business can be run by young people including mobile phone repair, car accessory shops and bakeries which are always in demand.

In 2019, through the Jaya Murni Beaufort Cooperative, Ruslan said a Kedai Coopmart was opened and offering goods at reasonable prices.

Apart from that, a supermarket worth RM6.5 million would also be opened this year which could provide employment opportunities for up to 40 people under the cooperative.

"For now, I will focus more on the socio-economy of the locals. When the situation has improved then we will focus on the tourism sector," he said. - Bernama