PUTRAJAYA: Over 2,600 cooperative retail stores nationwide will be “activated” to shield Malaysians from the impact of the rising cost of living triggered by the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister Steven Sim said the ministry is drawing up plans to leverage these “co-op marts” to offer daily necessities under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) programme.
“We are looking at how we can activate this network of 2,600 cooperative stores to help balance and reduce the prices of goods.
“While almost 70% of these are school cooperatives where the public cannot enter easily, we are looking at how they can still benefit the school ecosystem, such as teachers and staff.
“We are finalising the plans, and an announcement will be made soon,” he told reporters yesterday after chairing the National Cooperative Consultative Council meeting.
Currently, Sim said 240 cooperatives are participating as Sara partner stores, allowing eligible Malaysians to redeem basic necessities using their identity cards.
“To join the Sara programme, these stores need Point-of-Sale (POS) and digital systems. The ministry will provide assistance to upgrade their electronic systems so more cooperatives, especially in rural areas, can participate,” he said.
Sim said a proposal was also raised to expand targeted diesel and petrol subsidies to cooperatives involved in logistics and rural economic activities.
The move is expected to benefit over 300 cooperative-owned vehicles, including pickup trucks, passenger boats and generator sets used in areas without stable electricity.
At the same event, the Malaysia Co-operative Societies Commission signed a memoranda of understanding with Smart Stream Resources, Boustead Petroleum Marketing (BHPetrol) and the Malaysian Palm Oil Board.
Cooperatives will be provided opportunities to operate rural mini petrol stations, while smallholder cooperatives in the palm oil sector will be empowered through bulk sales and downstream activities.
Additionally, Sim said the ministry is expanding its partnership with Shopee to turn 100 cooperatives into parcel self-collection points in a move that could generate up to RM1,000 in additional monthly income for the co-ops without requiring any startup costs.
Currently, 25 premises offer the service, with another 61 undergoing the screening process.
As of Dec 31 last year, the cooperatives movement, which consists of 16,468 registered cooperatives and 7.3 million members, had generated a total revenue of RM81.63bil.
Sim also said the government is taking firm steps to crack down on mismanagement of funds for the needy.
He said new laws would be tabled in Parliament this year to plug loopholes and improve integrity.
“We are drafting a Bill to ensure better, more dynamic, and efficient governance for cooperatives in Malaysia.
“The draft is with the Attorney-General’s Chambers,” he added.
It was reported on April 21 that the Selangor MACC arrested three people on suspicion of misappropriating about RM230mil in funds.
To further strengthen ethical governance, the Malaysia Co-operative Societies Commission signed a memorandum of agreement with INCEIF University and Isra Institute to develop the Islamic Cooperative Resilient & Ethical Scheme.
On youth empowerment, Sim said a “Business School in School” pilot project will be launched in June involving secondary school cooperatives.
Participating students will receive co-curricular merit marks and a certificate from Universiti Keusahawanan Koperasi Malaysia.
