Cooperatives in Malaysia: A Pillar of Economic Growth
Did you know that cooperatives are a major contributor to Malaysia’s economy? With 14,417 cooperatives and over 6 million members, these organizations generate an impressive annual turnover of US$5.95 billion (RM 24.65 billion) and hold assets worth US$34.70 billion (RM 143.7 billion) as of June 2019.
The cooperative movement in Malaysia dates back to 1907, introduced by the British to combat rural indebtedness. Today, the movement is stronger than ever, with ANGKASA (Angkatan Koperasi Kebangsaan Malaysia Berhad) at the helm, representing Malaysian cooperatives both nationally and internationally.
Cooperatives are active across diverse sectors:
• Consumer: 5,429 cooperatives
• Services: 3,805 cooperatives
• Agriculture: 3,183 cooperatives
• Credit: 578 cooperatives
• Transportation: 490 cooperatives
• Industrial: 362 cooperatives
• Housing: 309 cooperatives
• Construction: 259 cooperatives
• Banking: 2 cooperatives
Women’s cooperatives also make significant contributions, with 249 cooperatives comprising 18,981 members.
Malaysia’s cooperative landscape is bolstered by robust regulatory frameworks and strategic policies. The National Cooperative Policies have been instrumental in ensuring the growth and sustainability of cooperatives. ANGKASA’s initiatives, like the ‘100 Product Champion’ program, promote cooperative products in domestic and ASEAN markets.
The Cooperative Institute of Malaysia (CIM) plays a crucial role in enhancing the professionalism and management skills of cooperative members through extensive training programs.
Internationally, Malaysia’s cooperatives have made their mark through active participation in the International Cooperative Alliance Asia and Pacific (ICA-AP) and the ASEAN Co-operative Organization (ACO).
Cooperatives embody the values of self-help, democracy, equality, and solidarity, making them essential to Malaysia’s socio-economic fabric.
#Cooperatives #MalaysiaEconomy #ANGKASA #EconomicGrowth #SustainableDevelopment A.Rahim A.Rahman
Senior web developer and branding adviser.
2moThis is very well put!