Melaka: More than 16,000 cooperatives across the nation have been incorporated in several economic sectors, boasting a total membership of 7.2 million. The Malaysia Cooperatives Commission (SKM) noted that this achievement demonstrates that nearly one-fifth of the country’s population is involved in cooperative membership.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the contribution of the cooperative sector’s revenue, which has reached RM68 billion, indicates the community’s trust and acceptance of the cooperative model as a platform for inclusive economic development. Additionally, the total accumulated assets of cooperatives have reached RM173 billion, stemming from the mobilisation of share capital or membership fees amounting to RM18.3 billion in 2024.

The SKM released this information in a statement aligned with the conclusion of the three-day 2025 National Cooperative Day (HKN) at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC), which ended today. Various programmes were organised to attract visitors, with 242 exhibition booths representing different ministries and Federal and state agencies participating in HKN 2025.

The event also featured the MADANI Cooperative and Entrepreneur Mega Sales Programme (JMKU), which provided up to 30 per cent discounts on daily necessities. During today’s HKN 2025 closing ceremony, the government, via the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP), honoured 10 cooperatives with awards for their outstanding performance within the cooperative movement.

The awards included the 2025 Best Malaysian Cooperative Award, 2025 Cooperative Activity Award, 2025 Most Promising Cooperative Award, and 2025 Premier Cooperative Award. The closing ceremony of HKN 2025, themed ‘Cooperatives Empower Communities, Building a MADANI Nation’, was officiated by Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusof and was attended by Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Datuk Ewon Benedick.