Co-operative movement progressing well in Sabah
KOTA KINABALU: The cooperative movement has been progressing well in Malaysia and Sabah, says Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Datu Rosmadi bin Datu Sulai.
As of June 30 this year, Datu Rosmadi said there were 38 cooperatives with over 4,879 members who were involved in tourism, personal care and health activities.
He said these cooperatives had a combined shares and fees amounting to RM3.81 million, assets worth RM41 million and RM33 million in revenue.
Datu Rosmadi said this in his speech, which was delivered by the Malaysia Cooperative Societies Commission (SKM) Sabah director Umar Sarim Hj Saidin when officiating at the State-level Cooperative Tourism Seminar here yesterday.
He said the objective of the programme was to present the potential and business opportunities in the tourism sector, which has become the main driver of economic growth in Sabah.
The seminar also identified issues that could hinder the growth of tourism activities carried out by cooperatives, he said.
Under the National Cooperative Policy 2011-2020, Datu Rosmadi said the government had set a target for Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contribution of cooperatives to 10 per cent by 2020.
“Hence, a holistic effort needs to be implemented by all those involved, especially cooperatives in Sabah, to carry out activities which are able to yield high returns.”
In the context of tourism sector, he said cooperatives can play the role as a facilitator to their members in overcoming issues such as working capital, licencing and location.
He said the Koperasi Pelancongan Mukim Batu Putih Kinabatangan Sabah Berhad (Kopel) was one of the best examples to be emulated by other cooperatives wishing to get involved in tourism activities.
Additionally, Datu Rosmadi hoped that more cooperatives would be involved in challenging, large-scale businesses which could generate higher revenue.
“If this is achieved, the cooperative movement in Malaysia will be able to become a more significant contributor to the national economy.”
On another note, Datu Rosmadi also marked his appreciation to Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman for the special allocation of RM10 million in the form of soft loan to the Sabah Government Employees Cooperative Society Berhad (Kopeks) and RM3 million as facilitation fund for new cooperatives in the State Budget 2018.
“This is a clear manifestation of the State Government’s effort in helping to develop the cooperative movement in Sabah in a holistic and comprehensive manner.”