Most cooperatives in Sabah doing well
LABUAN:
Kosan and Koperasi Pelancongan Mukim Batu Puteh Kinabatangan Berhad (Kopel) are among the most active and successful cooperatives in Sabah, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Yahya Hussin. He said that as at December 31 last year, there were 511 registered cooperatives in Sabah involved in various business operations and activities. “The performance of all the registered cooperatives in Sabah is very encouraging,” he said. Yahya, who is also the Agriculture and Food Industry Minister, said during the state- level meeting of the Sabah Cooperative Coordination Development Council here yesterday that the State Government has awarded a RM1 .8 million contract to Kosan to supply school uniforms to primary students in Sabah last year. “This year, the State Government through the Yayasan Sabah has offered a contract worth RM16.7 million for the supply of school uniforms to students in the primary schools,” he said. As for Kopel, Yahya said the cooperative is involved in eco-tourism programmes such as Homestay, boat services for tourists along the Kinabatangan River, adventure service and cultural performance. “Last year, Kopel brought in some 918 tourists from Europe, Australia and other Asian countries,” he said, adding that out of the 511 cooperatives, 49 of them are involved in land development. These cooperatives own some 23,886.85 hectares, of which some 18, 593.95 hectares had been developed and planted with oil palm and rubber. “For instance, Koperasi Putera Berhad sealed a joint-venture with Sabah Rubber Industry Board in planting rubber on 1985 hectares, while United development Cooperative Society Limited developed and planted its 501.7 hectares with oil palm,” he said.
