KUCHING: Suruhanjaya Koperasi Malaysia (SKM) CEO Noor Afifah made an official visit to Koperasi Belia Inovatif Sarawak Berhad (KOBIS Berhad) at its Green Hub in Astana recently.
The visit focused on KOBIS Berhad’s cooperative model and governance framework, which positions the entity as a structured platform for youth entrepreneurship and long-term business sustainability, particularly in sectors aligned with Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles.
A highlight of the engagement was the presentation of Biochar Ball; an innovative green product developed under a waste-to-wealth concept.
The product, designed for water treatment in drains, waterways, rivers and aquaculture ponds, demonstrates strong commercial potential while supporting environmental sustainability and creating economic opportunities within the cooperative ecosystem.
Afifah was also briefed on KOBIS Berhad’s agro-based initiatives, including a collaboration with Tarmizi Sabirin, winner of the Agrotech Heroes reality show on TVS.
The partnership aims to develop and scale agro-innovation projects that combine sustainable practices, youth participation and cooperative-based commercial models.
Tarmizi, who attended the visit, shared insights on agro-technology applications and youth-driven innovation, emphasising the role of cooperatives in transforming agrotech ideas into commercially viable enterprises.
In her remarks, Afifah called for greater participation by youth-led cooperatives and quasi-corporate entities in ESG-driven, green and agro-based economic sectors.
She stressed that cooperatives offer a disciplined and regulated pathway for young entrepreneurs, supported by governance oversight, capacity building and continuous guidance from SKM.
KOBIS Berhad chairman Zaiwin Kassim said the cooperative remains committed to expanding initiatives that strengthen youth involvement in cooperative-based business activities.
“KOBIS Berhad will continue to advance cooperative-led initiatives that enable young people to participate meaningfully in sustainable, agro-based and commercially viable enterprises.
“The cooperative model offers a structured and resilient platform for youth to grow businesses aligned with national development priorities.”
