Ipoh: A total of 22 cooperatives in Perak received RM1.134 million in grants this year to strengthen and expand their business activities as well as explore new markets for the benefit of their members. Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad expressed that cooperatives should view this assistance as a catalyst for progress. He urged management teams to identify target markets, manage costs effectively, build business networks, and strengthen their long-term capabilities.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the state government is fully backing these initiatives. In the Perak State Budget 2026, RM1.1 million was allocated for entrepreneur and cooperative development, marking an increase of RM100,000 compared to the previous year. Additionally, the state government has set aside RM350,000 under the Perak Cooperative Grant (GKOP) for 2026 to aid cooperatives in enhancing and scaling up their business operations.

The speech by Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad was delivered by state Women, Family, Social Welfare, Entrepreneur and Co-operatives Development Committee chairman Datuk Salbiah Mohamed during the Perak State Co-operative Movement Appreciation Night 2026 (MAGK'26). As of December 31, 2025, Perak housed 1,755 cooperatives with over 355,000 members. Accumulated shares and fees amounted to approximately RM553 million, while the total assets of the state's cooperative movement reached RM1.62 billion. Revenue also saw an increase from RM706 million in 2024 to RM792 million in 2025.