MEDC Strengthens Rural Cooperative Development Through Jom@Coop Sabah 2025

8 November 2025

TENOM: Rural cooperative development is further strengthened through the Jom@Coop Sabah 2025 programme, themed “IKMa and Cooperatives: Active Cooperatives, Productive Communities”, held at Dewan Datuk OKK Sangau Jalang, Melalap, Tenom.

The event was officiated by Datuk Ewon Benedick, Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives.

Organised by the Malaysian Cooperative Institute (IKMa) Sabah Zone, the programme serves as one of MEDC’s strategic platforms to drive the transformation of rural cooperatives through education, training, and entrepreneurial knowledge sharing.

It also provides an avenue for cooperatives, government agencies, and industry players to strengthen networks within the national social economy ecosystem.

The organisation of Jom@Coop Sabah 2025 reflects the government’s commitment to empowering cooperatives as key catalysts for community-based economic development.

Through the concept of “active cooperatives”, cooperatives are not only positioned as business entities but also as vehicles for improving social Wellbeing , by increasing income, creating job opportunities, and reinforcing support networks within local communities.

This approach aligns with the aspirations of the Malaysian Cooperative Policy (DAKOM) 2030, spearheaded by MEDC, to develop resilient, innovative, and high-impact cooperatives as vital components of an inclusive economy under the Malaysia MADANI framework.

As MEDC’s main training agency, IKMa plays a pivotal role in nurturing knowledgeable, ethical, and competitive cooperative members. The programme in Melalap, Tenom demonstrates MEDC’s commitment to extending cooperative development opportunities to rural areas, ensuring that local communities are not left behind in the nation’s economic progress.

Jom@Coop Sabah 2025 focuses on three core objectives:

To increase awareness of cooperative knowledge and values;

To expand business and collaboration networks among cooperatives; and

To build productive and competitive communities through social entrepreneurship.

A range of sharing sessions, talks, and exhibitions were held to inspire cooperatives to strengthen their operations and governance effectiveness.

Among the success stories highlighted was Koperasi Piisaan Tambunan Berhad, which has successfully implemented modern agricultural transformation using hydroponic Systems, creating economic spillover effects for rural communities.

Also featured was Koperasi Pelancongan Mukim Batu Puteh Kinabatangan Berhad (KOPEL), which has gained international recognition as a model of a community-based cooperative focusing on sustainable tourism and environmental conservation.

These achievements serve as an inspiration for other cooperatives to innovate and explore new, high-potential sectors for community economic growth.

Sabah remains one of the most active states in the cooperative movement.

As of 31 December 2024, the state recorded 1,994 registered cooperatives with a total membership of 375,559 people, share capital and fees amounting to RM273.37 million, assets valued at RM1.008 billion, and a turnover of RM774.45 million.

These figures demonstrate the vast potential of Sabah’s cooperatives to continue growing as catalysts of people’s economic empowerment and contributors to rural community wellbeing.

The programme also received strategic collaboration from the Malaysian Cooperative Commission (SKM), ANGKASA, various government agencies, and cooperative entrepreneurs through product exhibitions and a dialogue session with the Minister.

This synergistic approach strengthens the cooperative ecosystem, making it more inclusive, sustainable, and impactful.

Once again, Jom@Coop Sabah 2025 underscores KUSKOP’s unwavering commitment to empowering cooperatives as engines of people-centred economic development, fostering grassroots unity and cooperation, and ensuring that rural communities continue to progress in line with the nation’s development consistent with the aspirations of Malaysia MADANI.