Melaka: More than 50,000 visitors from within and outside Melaka are expected to enliven Hari Koperasi Negara (HKN) 2025 to be held at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC) in Ayer Keroh here from July 25 to 27.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Malaysian Cooperatives Commission (SKM) chairman Lt Gen (Rtd) Datuk Ahmad Norihan Jalal said the HKN 2025 celebration, themed ‘Cooperatives Driving the MADANI Economy’, will involve the opening of 200 booths featuring categories of cooperatives, agencies, ministries, and traders. The event is set to include a variety of events and activities, with the HKN 2025 launch expected to be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on July 27.
Ahmad Norihan highlighted the importance of HKN in introducing the movement, role, or function of cooperatives in the country to the public, aiming to attract interest and encourage the establishment of more cooperatives in the future. He noted that there are currently 16,284 cooperatives ranging from micro to premier levels with approximately 7.22 million members.
The pre-launch ceremony of HKN 2025, attended by Melaka Entrepreneur, Cooperatives Development and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Allex Seah Shoo Chin, also featured the release of 20 trishaws carrying Ahmad Norihan, Seah, and other distinguished guests to the Melaka Quayside Jetty to board two water taxis. These vehicles carried promotional materials to spread awareness about HKN 2025.
Ahmad Norihan further elaborated on the significance of cooperatives as community initiatives aimed at improving economic status through potential economic activities, contributing to poverty eradication. He identified rural communities, women’s communities, the Orang Asli, Felda settlers, former military personnel, and the police as target groups for cooperative establishment.
Meanwhile, Seah highlighted the growth of cooperatives in Melaka, noting an increase from over 400 to more than 500 cooperatives in the state over the past year. He expressed the state government’s readiness, through the SKM, to support communities interested in forming cooperatives.