KUALA LUMPUR: Angkatan Koperasi Kebangsaan Malaysia Berhad (Angkasa) president Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Fattah Abdullah has been elected as an International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) board member for the 2026-2030 term.
In a statement on Wednesday (Sept 16), Angkasa said the victory came through an election held during the ICA General Assembly 2026 in Panama, enabling Malaysia to retain its place in the top leadership of the world cooperatives movement's apex body.
Angkasa vice president Datuk Kamarudin Ismail's held the same position for the 2022-2026 term.
"Fifteen board members were elected from 24 candidates for the 2026 to 2030 term. Of that number, seven were re-elected while eight are new, including Datuk Seri Abdul Fattah Abdullah.
"A total of 116 voters representing 193 ICA member organisations from 66 countries participated in the election," the statement read.
Dr Ariel Guarco of Argentina was re-elected unopposed as ICA president. The ICA global board comprises 30 members: the president, four regional vice presidents, eight sectoral organisation representatives, 15 board members and the presidents of the Youth and Gender equality committees.
In the same statement, Abdul Fattah described the achievement as both an honour and a great trust, not only for Angkasa, but for the entire Malaysian cooperative movement, encompassing 16,468 cooperatives with 7.3 million members.
"This is a victory for the Malaysian cooperatives movement. It proves the confidence that international cooperative leaders have in Malaysia's ability to continue contributing ideas, experience and leadership in shaping the direction of the global cooperatives movement.
"Angkasa will use this platform to ensure that the voice and interests of Malaysian cooperatives continue to be heard, while also expanding strategic networks, economic cooperation with cooperatives worldwide," he said.
Abdul Fattah is also president of the Asean Co-operative Organisation (ACO) and vice president of the International Cooperative Alliance Asia and Pacific (ICA-AP).
He said the ICA board position gives Angkasa a platform to shape international cooperative policy and agenda with Malaysian perspectives, especially on sustainable development, economic inclusion, inter-cooperative trade and community development.
Held as part of the ICA Global Conference & Assemblies 2026, the ICA General Assembly 2026 carries the theme 'Building Bridges: Cooperative Contribution for Peaceful World'.
It brings together leaders and international organisations to discuss how cooperatives can build peace, strengthen cooperation and weather a shifting global economic landscape.
Abdul Fattah led a 25-member delegation to the conference. They comprised representatives from the Malaysian Cooperative Institute, Angkasa, Koperasi Pembiayaan Syariah Angkasa Berhad, Bank Kerjasama Rakyat Malaysia Berhad, Koperasi Sahabat Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia Berhad, Koperasi Angkatan Tentera Malaysia Berhad and several other cooperatives.
Angkasa has been a full member of the ICA since May 16, 1972 and continues to play an active role in the network and leadership of the international cooperative movement.
Founded in 1895, the ICA is the apex body of the global cooperative movement, representing approximately one billion cooperative members and around three million cooperatives worldwide. – Bernama
