S'wak mosque cooperatives urged to go digital, tap wider markets

Borneo Post

6 days ago

Misnu (third right) presents the certificate of participation to a representative of Masjid Darul Ulum Taman Desa Ilmu, Kota Samarahan.
KUCHING (May 30): Mosque cooperatives should embrace digitalisation to better distribute and market their products, said Sarawak Islamic Council (MIS) president Datuk Misnu Taha.
He stressed that digitalisation can enhance the reach of cooperative goods and products, potentially opening access to both national and global markets.
'To strengthen cooperatives, we need people who understand digital technology. That is why we have to take in young people in reaching this goal,' he said during a knowledge discourse programme, themed 'Empowering Masjid Kariah' at a hotel here.
In this regard, Misnu urged the Cooperative Commission of Malaysia (SKM) to create a platform for educating people on ways to use the digital tools to generate profit.
'We must make efforts to ensure that mosques have their own financial resources, and not only rely on donations from the people.'
He also revealed that MIS will organise the Masjid Kariah Cooperative Award ceremony next year to encourage excellence and innovation among mosque cooperatives in growing their businesses.
Malaysia Cooperative Institution (IKMa) director-general Mohd Zaib Mat Yunis, who was also present, added that IKMa Sarawak plans to implement three workshops focusing on the development of Masjid Kariah cooperatives.
'The planned follow-up workshops include the Strategic Management Workshop, Targeted Technical Workshop, and Records and File Management Workshop.'
He said a total of 650 programmes across the country are set to commence in 2025, with 60 of these programmes scheduled to take place in Sarawak—all of which will encompass a diverse range of focus areas.
'These include 21 Cooperative Leadership Development Programmes (PIMPIN), aimed at enhancing leadership capacity within cooperatives; 18 Basic Cooperative Business Programmes (CoopBif), designed to build foundational business skills; 11 Cooperative Advisory Service Programmes, providing hands-on guidance and mentoring; and 10 Youth and Community Cooperative Programmes, focused on encouraging active participation of young people and local communities in cooperative activities.'
These initiatives, he explained, reflect IKMa's commitment to supporting the growth and sustainability of cooperatives in Sarawak through targeted education, training, and community engagement. digital lead misnu taha Mosque cooperatives