Government allocates RM6 million to ANGKASA to strengthen the cooperative movement nationwide, says PM

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced a RM6 million allocation to the National Cooperatives Movement of Malaysia Berhad (ANGKASA) to enhance the strength of the cooperative movement across the country.

According to Bernama, of this amount, he stated that RM2 million will be channeled through the Rahmah Sales allocation under the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) to empower ANGKASA’s cooperative activities.

Anwar mentioned that another RM2 million will be channeled through the Sejati MADANI Program allocation under the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) to be distributed to cooperatives in MADANI villages.

“We have MADANI villages that include mosque committees, youth associations, and women’s associations. I want to include cooperatives in this group, and in this program, RM2 million will be distributed by ANGKASA to cooperatives under it,” he said during his speech at the closing ceremony of the National Cooperative Congress 2024 today.

Anwar also stated that RM1 million is a new allocation for the ASEAN Cooperative Program throughout the ASEAN Chairmanship 2025, as he wants the cooperative movement to be one of the key agendas for ASEAN next year.

“The participation of cooperatives (in the ASEAN agenda) is crucial for strengthening cooperatives at the international level,” he said, adding that ANGKASA President Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Fattah Abdullah is also the Chair of the ASEAN Cooperative Organization at present.

Anwar noted that an additional RM500,000 is allocated to mosque cooperatives in rural areas, while the remaining RM500,000 is given to ANGKASA for conducting training to enhance the competencies of rural cooperatives.

He also emphasized the importance of all government machinery in driving the cooperative movement nationwide under the MADANI Economy and that this should not be the sole responsibility of the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP).

The Prime Minister stated that although the revenue of the national cooperative movement has risen to RM64 billion, there is still room for improvement so that Malaysia’s cooperative movement can be on par with countries like Indonesia, Thailand, and Finland.

“My hope is as high as a mountain; there is no reason why we cannot achieve a higher level for our country and our region. We have a solid foundation,” he said.

Also present at the event were Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Datuk Ewon Benedick and his deputy Datuk R Ramanan; Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali; and Abdul Fattah.

Ewon, when met by the media, said that the announced allocation aligns with the Prime Minister’s commitment to seeing cooperatives in the country become a major contributor to the economy.

“I am confident that this allocation can be fully utilized by ANGKASA and the Cooperative Movement. KUSKOP will continue to monitor and facilitate the realization of the Prime Minister’s intentions,” he told reporters.

Meanwhile, Abdul Fattah expressed gratitude for the allocation announced by the Prime Minister, which aims to elevate the status of cooperatives as a tool for the government to address the issue of rising living costs.

“The role of ANGKASA at the international level, with the Prime Minister providing funding for the ASEAN program, shows that ANGKASA is not only expected to play a significant role nationally but also internationally. It is a good start as Malaysia is the Chair of the Cooperative Union for Countries under the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OICCU),” he said.