KUCHING: Sarawak has 193 registered school cooperatives with a total membership of 202,598 and a turnover of RM44.64 million as of Dec 31, 2024, said Batang Sadong MP Rodiyah Sapiee.
Rodiyah, who is also Malaysia Cooperative Societies Commission (SKM) Board of Directors member, said that a total of RM563,200 in grants had been channelled by SKM to 16 school cooperatives in Sarawak between 2021 and 2025.
“The funds were used to support projects such as the renovation and upgrading of cooperative shops.
“These cooperatives play a vital role in nurturing student entrepreneurship and leadership skills through practical business experience,” she said when officiating at the closing ceremony of the Sarawak-Level School Cooperative Basic Entrepreneurship Competition (AKSI) 2025 at Kompleks Belia dan Sukan here yesterday (Sept 30).
She also highlighted the upcoming new Cooperative Act, set to replace the 1993 Act (Act 502), which aims to strengthen the cooperative movement, simplify business processes, enhance governance, and improve public wellbeing.
“The Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development and SKM are optimistic that this new Act will create responsive, dynamic, and competitive cooperatives.
“Moreover, it has received full support from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, during his closing speech at the National Cooperative Congress in July 2024.
“I urge all school cooperatives to stay informed on the forthcoming amendments to the new cooperative law and to continue complying with cooperative regulations,” she said.
Earlier, she said that a total of 12 projects were contested at AKSI 2025, with exhibitions displayed at each participant’s booth, showcasing student creativity in areas such as health, food, hydroponics, and handicrafts.
The event, organised through a strategic collaboration between the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Development via SKM and the Ministry of Education Malaysia, aims to educate students on entrepreneurial practices while nurturing a young generation that is independent, visionary, and develops leadership skills through real business experiences and mutual cooperation.
“This means that the school cooperative movement is the most appropriate platform to produce a new generation of cooperators who are both capable and ethical, ensuring the future of the cooperative movement in our nation.
“This competition encourages creative and innovative thinking while fostering an entrepreneurial culture among school students. Such efforts are crucial to producing more young entrepreneurs ready to compete on the global stage.
“I hope this competition continues to serve as a catalyst for producing young entrepreneurs in Sarawak, instilling values of trust, discipline, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit to shape a generation capable of advancing and prospering the state,” she said.
For the record, in the Best Project category, Koperasi Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Riam Miri Berhad won first place with its project Brain Balm, followed by Koperasi SMK St Teresa Kuching Berhad in second place with DIY Lite Harvest, and Koperasi Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bintulu Berhad in third place with Kangkong Krapp.
