Hundreds attend the official opening of this year’s National Cooperatives Day at Kuching Waterfront. — Photo by Kong Jun Liung

KUCHING: The Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry (KPDNKK) has agreed in principle to introduce the mini petrol kiosk programme ‘SMART’ in the state.

Minister Datuk Hamzah Zainudin said the programme represented a joint venture between the Cooperative Commission of Malaysia (SKM) and Smart Stream Resources Sdn Bhd on developing mini petrol kiosks in rural areas.

“Petrol kiosks that are already rundown will be modernised to function not just as clean and safe petrol kiosks, but also those that offer other services such as mini marts, payment of bills and ATMs.

“By so doing, the cooperative for petrol kiosk owners involved will be able to gain more income to benefit members, while the local community gets to enjoy the services and obtain daily needs at reasonable prices,” he said before the official launch of the National Cooperative Day 2015 by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem at Kuching Waterfront yesterday.

Hamzah said Putrajaya had set a profit target of RM50 billion for the cooperative sector by 2020.

“We do not want this sector to be second-class. We want to prove that cooperatives could emerge as a sector that is able to spur the country’s socio-economic development.”

Last year, he said the number of cooperatives in the country recorded a 8.8-per cent increase in capital share, 5.1 per cent rise in fee collections, 8.2 per cent growth in assets, and six per cent upward trend in profits, against results attained in 2013.

A total of 11,871 cooperatives nationwide with 7.41 million registered members, recorded RM13.47 billion worth of capital share, RM116.78 billion worth of assets and RM34.95 billion worth of profits last year, he added.

“This shows that cooperatives, as a sector, can further boost the country’s economy.”

In Sarawak, Hamzah said Koperasi Kampong Bunan Serian Bhd had set a prime example, in which it had been playing an active role in distributing essential supplies to groceries and eventually, to residents in the village.

He added the said cooperative in Serian generated an income of RM2.55 million last year, and doled out 10-per cent dividends to members.

“In Sabah, Koperasi Pelancongan Mukim Batu Putih Kinabatangan Bhd is thriving in tourism activities, while Koperasi Tunas Muda Sungai Ara Bhd in Penang excels in the property market.”

Meanwhile, Assistant Minister in Chief Minister’s Office (Bumiputera Entrepreneurs Development) Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais said cooperatives from Malaysia and other countries had taken up some 200 booths for the exhibition, promotion and sales of their offerings throughout the three days.

He welcomed delegates and cooperative officials from Peninsular Malaysia to the event, as well as those from Brunei, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

“We hope this event would enhance closer ties among enterprises and entrepreneurs from Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak, besides fostering business networking between our entrepreneurs and those from neighbouring countries.”

Naroden also encouraged visitors to take part in a lucky draw held in conjunction with the national event. The grand prize winner would bring home a Perodua Myvi, sponsored by the recently-opened Koperasi Co-opbank Persatuan Malaysia Bhd Kuching Branch.