Uniting Asean cooperatives

New Straits Times

13-05-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: THE Asean Cooperative Dialogue 2025 (ACD2025) kicks off today, aimed at unifying cooperative policies and strategies across Southeast Asia to boost the collective well-being of the region's cooperatives.
Angkatan Koperasi Kebangsaan Malaysia Bhd (Angkasa) president Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Fattah Abdullah said the two-day dialogue presented a key opportunity for stakeholders to chart a unified direction for cooperatives in Asean, enhancing their role in national and regional development.
"ACD2025 is a space for cooperative leaders, government departments, agencies and experts responsible for cooperatives in 10 Asean member states to discuss the sector's future direction.
"We want to elevate the sector by encouraging greater regional policy uniformity and standards," he said in a recent interview.
Fattah, who is Asean Co-operative Organisation (ACO) president, said ACD2025 aimed to tap into the economic potential of more than 300,000 cooperatives representing more than 65.7 million members across the region.
He stressed ACO's unifying role in driving cooperative development and improving the socio-economic well-being of communities across Southeast Asia.
"The sector's total estimated revenue stands at US$78.3 billion, demonstrating its significant contribution to regional growth.
"With Asean's population exceeding 600 million, the market for cooperative products and services is vast. We need to approach it strategically," he said, adding that the dialogue marked a significant recognition of Malaysia's leadership as Asean chair this year.
Additionally, he said the ACD2025 would become a strategic platform to strengthen regional collaboration and advance shared goals, including those outlined in the Asean Community Vision 2025 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
"There is a real need to review national policies and frameworks to ensure we are moving in a common direction."
He added that Malaysia had made significant strides in cooperative development, supported by its Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Ministry, the Cooperative Commission of Malaysia, the Co-operative Institute of Malaysia, as well as national policies and strong government backing.
In July last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, during the National Cooperative Congress, announced an additional RM6 million to boost the development of cooperatives in recognition of their contribution to the economy.
Anwar said the funds would be channelled through Angkasa for various initiatives.
Of the total, RM2 million would be allocated to Angkasa by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry and another RM2 million from the Implementation Coordination Unit.
Fattah said: "In contrast, some Asean countries place cooperatives under broader ministries, such as those overseeing culture, youth or agriculture, with varying levels of support.
"Also, some countries invest significantly in the sector, while others allocate little to none. We need greater harmonisation and recognition so that cooperatives can thrive across the region."
Fattah said different Asean countries have strengths in specific sectors.
"Vietnam in industrial cooperatives, Singapore in retail, Thailand in agriculture and Malaysia in halal products, Islamic finance and community-based cooperatives."
He emphasised the need for sustained support from Asean governments to ensure the successful implementation of the ACD2025 Resolution, which would be presented at the end of the two-day event.
"Cooperatives must be recognised as important economic entities. This recognition should be reflected in national policies that prioritise their involvement in strategic sectors.
"We also need cooperative-friendly policies and legal frameworks that support cross-border operations, such as tax incentives, access to development projects, financing and digitalisation support."
Fattah said the region's cooperative sector would benefit from a dedicated Asean fund to support small- and medium-sized cooperatives in boosting productivity, overcoming challenges and expanding market access.
"We hope Asean governments will fully commit to implementing the ACD2025 Resolution as a regional agenda."With the right policies and implementation, cooperatives can play a much larger role in grassroots development and inclusive socio-economic growth."
Fattah added that the Asean Cooperative Product Showcase, which featured innovative products and services from cooperatives across the region, was held alongside the dialogue.
"A total of 24 delegates from five countries, namely Malaysia, Indonesia, Timor-Leste, Thailand and Vietnam are participating in the exhibition, showcasing their cooperative offerings to potential regional markets."
On the domestic front, Angkasa just celebrated its 54th anniversary yesterday.
Established on May 12, 1971, Angkasa now represents over 16,280 cooperatives nationwide, with 7.2 million members. Up to 2024, the cooperative movement's contributions are substantial, with RM173.3 billion in assets, RM18.3 billion in share capital and fees, and RM68.2 billion in annual turnover.
"Angkasa has grown steadily over the decades. We play a central role in driving cooperative policy and expanding business networks locally and internationally," Fattah said.
Guided by its Strategic Plan 2017–2050, Angkasa focuses on four key areas: economic development, ecosystem, governance and innovation.
Fattah said: "These efforts align with national priorities, including the National Entrepreneurship Policy 2030 and the Malaysian Cooperative Policy 2030, to position cooperatives as key drivers of high-impact entrepreneurship.
"The goal is to boost cooperatives' role in driving economic resilience and broad-based prosperity, and positioning them as the leading model for sustainable and inclusive socio-economic growth."
He said among the initiatives were business incubation programmes and support for cooperatives entering strategic sectors such as halal products, tourism, digitalisation, agriculture and plantations.
"Angkasa is also dedicated to strengthening its presence at both regional and international levels through active participation in ACO and the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA).
"Angkasa has gained global recognition through events like the ICA General Assembly in Kuala Lumpur (2017), the Global Youth Forum in Sarawak (2020) and the Asia-Pacific Cooperative Youth Summit in Sabah (2023).
"These events reflect Malaysia's strong cooperative movement and have drawn international interest in our model."
However, he admitted that challenges remain.
"Many cooperatives struggle with business sustainability, limited human resources, lack of digital readiness and capital constraints. Public perception also continues to narrowly associate cooperatives with loan activities."
He said to address financing issues, Angkasa, via its Koperasi Pembiayaan Syariah Angkasa, offered business loans to cooperatives.
"To address digitalisation challenges, a Cooperative Digitalisation Plan has been developed, along with the introduction of the BA100 online retail management system.