KOTA KINABALU: Each parliamentary constituency can have more than one cooperative supplying controlled items, said Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
NICE DESIGN: Ismail trying on a straw hat while touring the Coop Fest at Lintasan Deasoka on Saturday.
He said the Malaysian Cooperative Commission was calling interested cooperatives to join the ‘one parliament, one cooperative’ programme.
“I proposed one cooperative to supply controlled items in one parliamentary constituency but this is only the minimum.
“More can join provided they are financially stable, can provide transport and stores,” he said when launching Sabah Zone ‘Coop Fest’ 2010 at Lintasan Deasoka on Saturday.
Ismail said they could implement the ‘1 Cooperative, 1 State’ concept or two cooperatives for big states like Sabah, Sarawak and Pahang.
“In the past, it was one state, one wholesaler or two for bigger states such as Sabah, Sarawak, Pahang and Perak,” he said.
Ismail also said more cooperatives in the 222 parliamentary constituencies nationwide would be given licence to supply controlled items like sugar, flour and cooking oil.
“We have approved licences for 24 cooperatives to supply controlled items.
Those interested can apply to the ministry via the state offices,” he said, adding that this would help realise the government’s target to have ‘one price’ nationwide.
He added the ministry plans to make it compulsory for cooperative board members to attend short courses to create proprietors and professional leaders.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Yahya Hussin urged cooperatives to enhance their delivery system and service to its members and also to boost the confidence of the people towards cooperatives.
Yahya cited an anchor cooperative and several retail cooperatives in Keningau which have successfully ventured into wholesaling and retailing activities.
“I am informed that till June 2010, the total sale returns of the group has reached RM3.68 million and I am optimistic that the total sale returns can increase to RM8 million by end of this year. It is clear that wholesale and retail activities not only standardise the prices in urban and rural areas, but also increase the income of cooperatives in the country,” said Yahya whose speech was delivered by Assistant Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Datuk Bobbey A Suan.
According to Yahya, 670 cooperatives were registered in Sabah as of June 30 this year, with a membership of 198,620, total shares worth RM21.71 million, assets amounting to RM271.88 million and turnover of RM225.18 million.
He also said Sabah would have at least 15 big cooperatives (with revenue of RM5 million) by end 2013.
He added big cooperatives had contributed RM125.7 million or 56 per cent of the total turnover of cooperatives in Sabah.