Governance Key To Cooperative Development And Activities - Anwar

PUTRAJAYA, June 14 (Bernama) -- Governance must be a key pillar in the development of cooperatives and cooperative activities in the country to ensure economic benefits are enjoyed by all parties, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Finance Minister said good management can enhance the performance of cooperatives. Therefore, aspects such as governance, effective separation of powers and efforts to combat corruption should not be taken lightly.

“If cooperatives in the country are well managed, their performance will be good. That is why issues such as tackling corruption and the separation of powers are important, even though some may view them lightly.

“If this is not addressed, even if a large amount of funds is obtained, it will not benefit the public but only a small group. That is why governance is important,” he told reporters after launching the 10th annual general meeting of the Koperasi Profesional Putrajaya Berhad (KOPROJAYA) here today.

Also present were Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, KOPROJAYA chairman Saiful Azhar Shaharun, and more than 1,200 cooperative members.

Anwar also said that the concepts of justice and compassion must be properly understood to ensure they are not determined solely based on racial or state sentiments, but instead grounded in the actual needs of the people.

“Some tend to follow state lines, sometimes along racial lines. But it must be based on what is needed. If a certain community has a high number of poor people, then we must give attention to that. If we look at poverty in the country, the majority are still Malay Bumiputera.

“For example, among the Indian community, or those in rural areas who are poor, this must be addressed. That is why understanding the meaning of justice and compassion is very important,” he said.

Earlier in his speech, he congratulated KOPROJAYA for its success in practising good governance, enabling it to achieve commendable performance that can serve as an example for other cooperative movements.

“This is an example of a well-managed and orderly cooperative. I checked, KOPROJAYA is among the cooperatives led and managed with very good governance, and I congratulate them,” he said.

Established officially on June 21, 2013 under the Cooperative Societies Act 1993, KOPROJAYA has grown into a high-impact cooperative with 2,365 active members, total assets reaching RM17.93 million, and a business network spanning 13 active locations nationwide.

-- BERNAMA