By WU VUIDE
KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has called on the cooperative movement in Sabah to boldly undertake business transformation by diversifying income sources and venturing into new sectors capable of creating added value for members, communities and the state economy.
He said that in an increasingly competitive economic and technological landscape, cooperatives can no longer rely solely on traditional business models but must continue to innovate to remain competitive and sustain growth.
According to him, business transformation will enable cooperatives to penetrate new markets, meet the needs of members and customers, and capitalise on emerging economic opportunities in line with changing circumstances.
“The State Government strongly encourages cooperatives to continue strengthening their governance, expanding their business activities ad serving as catalysts for inclusive and sustainable economic development.
“I am confident that the cooperative movement will remain relevant and continue to be an important contributor to the state’s development if it is always prepared to adapt to current needs,” he said.
He said this when officiating at the 49th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Sabah Government Employees Cooperative Berhad (Kopeks) and launching the Kinabalu Media community newspaper at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC).
Hajiji said Kopeks should serve as an example as it has boldly transformed itself from operating solely as a credit business into various strategic sectors with high growth potential, including Ar-Rahnu services, healthcare, dialysis centres, housing projects, import and export activities, and community newspaper publishing.
He said the publication of Kinabalu Media demonstrates Kopeks’ commitment to strengthening the culture of knowledge and providing a platform for the dissemination of reliable information to the public, while also making an important contribution to Sabah’s newspaper industry.
“In this rapidly evolving digital media era, print publications still play an important role in providing more in-depth reporting, quality analysis and documentation of various current issues.
“The State Government views the media as a strategic partner in developing the state and strengthening unity among the people, including in advancing the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) 2.0 roadmap,” he said.
Commenting on the healthcare sector ventured into by Kopeks, Hajiji said the cooperative’s move to acquire several private clinics has enabled members to enjoy medical treatment at affordable rates, proving that cooperatives can play a greater role in improving public wellbeing.
He also welcomed Kopeks’ plan to establish a dialysis centre, noting that demand for such services continues to rise, with the number of kidney patients in Sabah now exceeding 2,000.
He said the State Government had contributed 100 haemodialysis machines worth RM4.5 million to 23 government hospitals and two health clinics throughout Sabah in 2024 to help improve public access to treatment.
“I hope the dialysis centre to be established will offer affordable charges to help ease the burden on patients,” he said.
He said Kopeks’ move into import and export activities, particularly with Brunei Darussalam, is a sound strategy to open up cross-border trade opportunities, expand the market for local products and strengthen regional cooperation networks.
He said the initiative is in line with the Sabah Maju Jaya agenda, which emphasises inclusive and sustainable economic development that benefits all Sabahans.
Meanwhile, Hajiji also expressed appreciation to the leadership of Kopeks for its encouraging profit performance in 2025 and its success in consistently paying dividends to members over the past 20 years.
He said the achievement reflects the efficiency of the cooperative’s governance and financial management, enabling members to continue enjoying its benefits.
At the same time, he called on more civil servants, particularly the younger generation, to join Kopeks to further strengthen its position as a model cooperative that not only develops the economy of its members but also contributes to Sabah’s overall progress.
Hajiji, accompanied by Kopeks chairman Datuk Dr Saat Ag Damit, presents aid to a Kopeks member.
