Wan Junaidi (second left) officiating at the general meeting of Koperasi Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (MEDAC) Bhd. — Bernama photo
PUTRAJAYA: Cooperatives that are adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic will be given strategic recovery assistance through the Cooperative Commission of Malaysia (SKM), said Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
He said SKM was asked to look into the cooperatives that needed rehabilitation assistance across the nation, among others, relating to the direction of the said cooperative and strategies they have implemented to support the cooperative movement.
“Last night, I received five/six WhatsApp (messages) from Sarawak, Perlis, which asked when assistance will be given to their cooperatives…we will help them, nationwide, if there are requirements based on a study,” he said after officiating the general meeting of Koperasi Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (MEDAC) Bhd here yesterday.
Koperasi Sawah Sempadan Tanjung Karang Bhd, Koperasi Jabatan Penjara Malaysia Bhd and Koperasi Permodalan FELDA Malaysia Bhd each received RM1 million from SKM recently as cooperative rehabilitation assistance due to the impact from the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to Wan Junaidi, a total of 14,625 cooperatives were registered under SKM as at Dec 31, 2019, with a membership of some 6.09 million people.
On Koperasi MEDAC Bhd, Wan Junaidi said its establishment is a move in the right direction in line with the ministry’s role as an entity responsible for spearheading the development and affairs of the cooperative sector in the country.
“Koperasi MEDAC needs to show an example as a successful cooperative because its members are the workers in the ministry, including minister, deputy can become members. Hence, the people (other cooperatives) will see this cooperative as the benchmark,” he said.
Among the activities that are planned for Koperasi MEDAC Bhd are business involving daily retail products, cafe management, Ar-Rahnu services, and petrol station. — Bernama