SABAK BERNAM, April 25 — Selangor has kept its position as a driver of the nation’s cooperatives movement through Koperasi Warga Hijrah Selangor Bhd (KOHIJRAH), which is among the main catalysts in empowering the marketing and supply chain of state’s agroproducts.
State executive councillor for rural development and unity Datuk Rizam Ismail said that last year, Selangor had the most number of cooperatives in Malaysia with 2,217 establishments, encompassing RM952.3 million in revenue, RM2.79 billion in assets, and RM783.4 million in shares and fees.
He said this achievement proves the state cooperatives movement’s strength isn’t just a numbers game, but is an important driver for the people’s economy.
“Cooperatives are the people’s business entities that are based on member shareholding, and play a big role in empowering the state’s economy through product supply chains and the strengthening of the business ecosystem.
“I carry with me the menteri besar’s (Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari) desire to maintain the cooperatives-driven ecosystem in the state through the cooperatives product supply chain.
“Thank God, the menteri besar agreed to the initial development of the Sabak Bernam Development Area (SABDA) project with an allocation of RM5 million, including the Selangor agroproducts collection centre today,” he said in a speech at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Air Manis R&R and Selangor KOHIJRAH Agroproduct Collection Centre here today.
Also present were state executive councillor for local government and tourism Dato’ Ng Suee Lim, Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporation), or MBI, chief executive officer Dato’ Saipolyazan M. Yusop, Sabak Bernam district officer Sadikin Sadin, and Permodalan Negeri Selangor Bhd (PNSB) chief executive officer Raja Ahmad Shahrir Iskandar Raja Salim.
According to Rizam, who is also SABDA chairman, the RM5 million allocation would support the construction of a cooperatives agroproduct collection centre, in addition to providing a special area at the new Air Manis R&R to market agroproducts.
“This initiative allows agroproducts to be gathered and marketed more systematically through cooperatives, which helps increase incomes for farmers and entrepreneurs,” he explained.
He added that the state government is giving focus to the development of cooperatives agroproduct centres in phases statewide to expand the marketing network for local products.
He said having complete infrastructure is important to ensure the people’s well-being and to make Sabak Bernam a sustainable, liveable rural district.
“When the West Coast Expressway (WCE) is completed in December 2027, this area will be more accessible and stimulate local economic activities,” Rizam added.
