GEORGE TOWN: The Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Ministry, through the Malaysia Co-operative Societies Commission, has allocated RM1.03mil to cooperatives and communities across Penang.
In a statement on Friday (March 13), the ministry said this was part of efforts to strengthen the role of cooperatives as drivers of the people’s economy.
“Of the allocation, Revolving Capital Fund financing totalling RM786,420 will be channelled to the Penang State Rubber Growers Cooperative Berhad.
“Assistance under the Cooperative Supply Chain Empowerment Programme totalling RM200,000 was given to the Ibadur Rahman Masjid Kariah Cooperative (Kepala Batas Pulau Pinang Berhad),” it said.
It said Minister Steven Sim, who is the Bukit Mertajam MP, presented food baskets worth RM5,000 to 50 underprivileged students and general school employees, in addition to cash assistance and two television sets for SMK Taman Sejahtera, at the Coop Talk: Minister and Community of Bukit Mertajam programme held at the school.
“He (Sim) presented Raya contributions totalling RM33,000 (RM1,000 each) to 21 active mosque cooperatives in Penang and 12 school cooperatives in Bukit Mertajam.
“As of Dec 31 last year (2025), Penang recorded 819 cooperatives with a membership of 171,713 people, assets worth RM1.29bil and revenue of over RM848mil,” it said.
