KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 14 – A total of 281 women’s cooperatives have been registered with a membership of 29,373 women, as of June 30, 2024, according to the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development (MECD).
In a written parliamentary reply, the ministry said the total recorded assets of the cooperatives is valued at RM77.6 million, while the cooperatives total share capital and fees is RM19.1 million, and its revenue amounted to RM9.3 million.
MECD provided the figures in response to a question by Sungai Besar MP, Muslimin Yahaya, who asked for the total number of women’s cooperatives, how many are active and how many contribute to the Malaysia Cooperative Societies Commission (SKM).
He also wanted to know about SKM’s effort to encourage women to participate in cooperatives.
“The ministry through SKM is committed to empowering the cooperative movement including women’s cooperatives based on the Malaysian Cooperatives Transformation Plan (TransKoM) 2021-2025 and the Malaysia Cooperative Policy (DaKoM) 2030,” said MECD.
“To encourage community participation in cooperatives including women, SKM has implemented promotional and cultural programmes at the community level such as the briefing programmes on cooperatives (Program Taklimat Jom Berkoperasi) to increase registration of new cooperatives.”
MECD added that 13 new women cooperatives were registered in 2024.
To increase business activities, women’s cooperatives are also eligible to receive financing facilities and participate in development programmes provided by SKM, said the ministry.
This includes financing of up to RM200,00 without collateral, through the SKM Revolving Capital Fund (TMPSKM) for eligible cooperatives that meet the stipulated conditions.
In 2023 and 2024, three women’s cooperatives received TMPSKM financing at a total of RM870,000.
SKM also helps cooperatives increase their business capacities and capabilities through the Business Development Through Cooperatives Programme.
The scope of this programme includes the provision of financial incentives of up to RM300,000 to eligible cooperatives that meet specified conditions.
In 2024, two women’s cooperatives received this incentive amounting to RM26,000.
