Latest news with #EntrepreneurDevelopmentandCooperativesMinistry
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
New Cooperative Act expected to be tabled in Parliament this December
BANGI: A new cooperative law to replace the current Cooperative Act 1993 (Act 502) is expected to be tabled in Parliament this December, says Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Khairul Dzaimee Daud. He said the ministry is introducing a new law to enable the cooperative movement to operate more effectively as a business entity and become a stronger driver of the national economy. "Therefore, we are repealing the existing act and replacing it with a new one, which will be tabled in Parliament for the first reading in December. "The 2026 Parliament session, scheduled for around March or April, is expected to see the second reading, with the aim of enforcing the new act by July next year,' he said at the opening of the Angkasa-Minda-UKM Cooperative Empowerment Forum here on Thursday, Bernama reported. Previously, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said that his ministry was drafting the new Cooperative Act to replace Act 502. The Cabinet paper on the matter was presented and approved in principle on Jan 8. Khairul Dzaimee added that the ministry is actively engaging with state governments and stakeholders to ensure the new law is properly implemented in the best interests of cooperatives. He also said that the new cooperative law aims to create more responsive and dynamic cooperatives, facilitate cooperative businesses, enhance the well-being of the community and improve cooperative governance. "The main essence of this new act is to liberalise the cooperative movement by reducing excessive monitoring, previously focused heavily on legislation, and giving cooperatives more space to operate as business entities,' he said. Meanwhile, Angkatan Koperasi Kebangsaan Malaysia Berhad (Angkasa) president Datuk Seri Abdul Fattah Abdullah expressed support for the government's efforts to enhance the cooperative ecosystem in the country. "We want to make cooperatives a culture among Malaysians by 2050. Angkasa (also) strongly supports the government's efforts to liberalise the laws and regulations that are being made and improve the (cooperative) ecosystem,' he said. Also present were Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) deputy vice-chancellor (Academic and International Affairs) Prof Dr Abdul Halim Abdul Gafor and the Malaysian Inclusive, Development and Advancement Institute (MINDA-UKM) director Prof Tan Sri Dr Noor Azlan Ghazali.
The Star
5 days ago
- Business
- The Star
More 'tamu desa' to built in Sabah, S'wak this year, says Ewon
KOTA KINABALU: The Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry will construct more "tamu desa" (rural traditional markets) in Sabah and Sarawak this year, to enhance rural market facilities and empower entrepreneurs in both states, says Datuk Ewon Benedick. The Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister said the Madani government, through the ministry, had allocated RM20mil to implement the Tamu Desa Development Project this year. He added that this included an additional RM10mil announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the Madani Rakyat Programme in Tawau last month. "Last year, we successfully built and upgraded 98 tamu desa across Sabah and Sarawak. This year, with an allocation of RM20mil, I hope the same number or more can be built," he said in a statement Monday (June 2). He was speaking after officiating the Kampung Pinasang Tamu Darat Kaamatan Festival in Kota Belud and subsequently launching the village's tamu desa, which was completed this year at a cost of RM250,000. Ewon said 14 tamu desa were built in the Kota Belud area, part of the 98 premises completed across Sabah and Sarawak last year. "I have been informed by the village leaders that these premises greatly benefit the residents, especially mothers and small entrepreneurs who conduct business weekly. They not only provide a more comfortable space for selling but can also be used for various community activities on other days," he said. According to him, the requirements for tamu desa development vary depending on the location and scope of work determined by the District Office, whether for new construction or upgrading, involving costs ranging from RM100,000 to RM300,000. As of May this year, he said, applications for new construction or upgrading of tamu desa premises in Sabah had reached RM40mil, including applications carried over from last year that could not be implemented, and this amount did not yet include applications from Sarawak "Although our budget is limited, what is important is the continuity of what was implemented last year. What we started last year will be continued and expanded this year. I am confident that this programme will be among the key inputs of the ministry in the 13th Malaysia Plan (2026-2030)," he said. The tamu desa initiative was also part of the government's commitment to pay special attention to the needs of rural Sabah and Sarawak, in line with the nation's inclusive development agenda, he added. - Bernama
New Straits Times
21-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Fuziah: 'Kita Keadilan' a call for unity at all levels
KUALA LUMPUR: PKR secretary-general Fuziah Salleh has dismissed the claim that the party brought forward its elections to propel "new talent" such as Datuk Seri R. Ramanan and Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim. She dismissed the claim as an "overstretched notion", pointing out that Ramanan is already a deputy minister (of the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry), while Kamil is a recognised youth leader, even during his tenure as deputy youth chief. "They need no introduction to the grassroots," she said when contacted. Fuziah, however, confirmed that the idea to hold party elections after the 16th General Election (GE16) was first mooted in August last year. "The political bureau then decided to form a committee tasked with engaging stakeholders and studying the implications, as well as possible amendments to the constitution should it become necessary," she said. She said among the key considerations for the initial decision to delay the elections was to ensure party stability and strengthen ties between the leadership and grassroots in preparation for GE16. Asked what prompted the reversal, Fuziah said the suggestion came from party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the prime minister. "The idea to hold party elections before GE16 was mooted by the party president himself. He had shared his thoughts and observations that the party needs a fresh change in grassroots leadership to prepare the election machinery and divisions for GE16." She said the political bureau and central leadership council agreed with the proposal and endorsed it in September. "Hence, preparations for the party elections began soon after." Fuziah added that while party leaders were free to express differing views during internal discussions, all must unite behind the final decision. "As a member of the central leadership, I subscribe to the values that all of us may have personal views and are free to express our opinions during the decision-making process. "However, once a decision is made, it becomes a collective responsibility to uphold it and move forward as one." Last night, PKR deputy president candidate Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli claimed that the party initially had agreed to hold its party election after GE16. Speaking at a campaign event in Terengganu, Rafizi said the leadership had planned to prioritise governance and the people's needs over internal politics. He said the decision was based on past experiences, where party elections led to intense contests for top posts and caused internal turmoil. However, he claimed the decision was reversed, on the grounds that party elections were needed to bring in 'new talent', in which he specifically named Ramanan, who is eyeing a vice-president post, and Kamil, who won the PKR Youth chief post uncontested. Meanwhile, on managing potential friction during the party elections, Fuziah said leaders and members would be gathering in Johor Baru in less than a week for the party's national congress. "It is commonly accepted that every party has teams within teams. However, I believe that, at the end of the day, every candidate offers themselves to contribute to the betterment of the party and should never harbour divisive behaviour." Fuziah said she had begun a consolidation and reconciliation tour as part of efforts to unify the party ahead of the polls. "I am currently on a nationwide tour to prepare delegates for the congress with briefings on logistical matters, while at the same time promoting the 'Kita Keadilan' message, which is a call for unity. "The objective and message, as secretary-general, is to reinforce that we are one. The party election is simply an internal mechanism to choose the best among our pool of leaders to serve at the central, youth and women's wings levels. "It should bring us stronger together, not otherwise. So far, the momentum for Kita Keadilan has been growing, with more grassroots leaders and aspiring candidates joining the tour and echoing the call."
New Straits Times
17-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Ramanan, Kamil not 'new talent' in PKR, says Fuziah
KUALA LUMPUR: PKR secretary-general Fuziah Salleh has dismissed the claim that the party brought forward its elections to propel "new talent" such as Datuk Seri R. Ramanan and Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim. She dismissed the claim as an "overstretched notion", pointing out that Ramanan is already a deputy minister (of the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry), while Kamil is a recognised youth leader, even during his tenure as deputy youth chief. "They need no introduction to the grassroots," she said when contacted. Fuziah, however, confirmed that the idea to hold party elections after the 16th General Election (GE16) was first mooted in August last year. "The political bureau then decided to form a committee tasked with engaging stakeholders and studying the implications, as well as possible amendments to the constitution should it become necessary," she said. She said among the key considerations for the initial decision to delay the elections was to ensure party stability and strengthen ties between the leadership and grassroots in preparation for GE16. Asked what prompted the reversal, Fuziah said the suggestion came from party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the prime minister. "The idea to hold party elections before GE16 was mooted by the party president himself. He had shared his thoughts and observations that the party needs a fresh change in grassroots leadership to prepare the election machinery and divisions for GE16." She said the political bureau and central leadership council agreed with the proposal and endorsed it in September. "Hence, preparations for the party elections began soon after." Fuziah added that while party leaders were free to express differing views during internal discussions, all must unite behind the final decision. "As a member of the central leadership, I subscribe to the values that all of us may have personal views and are free to express our opinions during the decision-making process. "However, once a decision is made, it becomes a collective responsibility to uphold it and move forward as one." Last night, PKR deputy president candidate Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli claimed that the party initially had agreed to hold its party election after GE16. Speaking at a campaign event in Terengganu, Rafizi said the leadership had planned to prioritise governance and the people's needs over internal politics. He said the decision was based on past experiences, where party elections led to intense contests for top posts and caused internal turmoil. However, he claimed the decision was reversed, on the grounds that party elections were needed to bring in 'new talent', in which he specifically named Ramanan, who is eyeing a vice-president post, and Kamil, who won the PKR Youth chief post uncontested. Meanwhile, on managing potential friction during the party elections, Fuziah said leaders and members would be gathering in Johor Baru in less than a week for the party's national congress. "It is commonly accepted that every party has teams within teams. However, I believe that, at the end of the day, every candidate offers themselves to contribute to the betterment of the party and should never harbour divisive behaviour." Fuziah said she had begun a consolidation and reconciliation tour as part of efforts to unify the party ahead of the polls. "I am currently on a nationwide tour to prepare delegates for the congress with briefings on logistical matters, while at the same time promoting the 'Kita Keadilan' message, which is a call for unity. "The objective and message, as secretary-general, is to reinforce that we are one. The party election is simply an internal mechanism to choose the best among our pool of leaders to serve at the central, youth and women's wings levels. "It should bring us stronger together, not otherwise. So far, the momentum for Kita Keadilan has been growing, with more grassroots leaders and aspiring candidates joining the tour and echoing the call."
Daily Express
15-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Kuskop introduces financing schemes to aid Bumiputera contractors
Published on: Thursday, May 15, 2025 Published on: Thu, May 15, 2025 Text Size: Ewon poses for a wefie with attendees. KOTA KINABALU: The Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry (Kuskop) is offering the Kontrak-I programme and the Contractors Trust Fund Scheme (SKWAK) to support Bumiputera contractors awarded government tenders. Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said both initiatives aim to ease cash flow burdens and are part of the government's commitment to empower Bumiputera entrepreneurs. Advertisement He explained that SKWAK provides interest-free, collateral-free advances of up to 25 per cent of project value to G1–G5 contractors undertaking federal projects from JKR and JPS. Under Tekun Kontrak-I, contractors can also access financing without guarantors or deposits, with RM500 million allocated for 2025 and RM11.4 million already approved for 178 Sabah-based contractors as of March 31. Ewon announced this while officiating the Contractor Capacity Development Seminar attended by 300 participants, organised by the Contractor Service Centre under Kuskop. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
