Melaka: The Cooperative Commission of Malaysia (SKM) is stepping up efforts to increase youth participation in cooperatives, with only 87,000 members recorded across 207 youth cooperatives to date.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, SKM chairman Lt Gen (Rtd) Datuk Ahmad Norihan Jalal stated that out of this number, five cooperatives involving 1,025 youth members have been established in Melaka, with most of them involved in the tourism, services, and agriculture industries. He emphasized the importance of expanding youth cooperatives, as young individuals are a crucial component of the cooperative movement and the future of the national cooperative sector. Despite this focus, SKM is not setting specific targets for the establishment of youth cooperatives next year.

Ahmad Norihan spoke on this matter after attending the 2025 Melaka state cooperative movement appreciation ceremony. The event was officiated by Senior State Executive Councillor for Housing, Local Government, Drainage, Climate Change and Disaster Management Datuk Rais Yasin, with State Entrepreneur Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Allex Seah Shoo Chin also in attendance.

While the establishment of youth cooperatives is a priority, Ahmad Norihan stressed that quality must remain at the core of each cooperative to ensure competitiveness and sustainability in its ventures, leading to good returns. He highlighted SKM’s ongoing commitment to providing advisory services, guidance, and various development programs to encourage youth participation.

Moreover, SKM offers support facilities in the form of grants, financing, or loans to help cooperatives grow alongside other business entities. Ahmad Norihan noted the achievements of Melaka’s cooperatives, attributed to the state government’s support and assistance for the cooperative movement. As of December last year, Melaka boasted 504 registered cooperatives with 173,000 members, accumulated shares and fees totaling RM107.05 million, total assets of RM598.66 million, and cooperative movement revenue of RM181.64 million.

During the ceremony, the state government awarded RM200,000 under the Micro Cluster Cooperative Empowerment Assistance Programme (e-Mikro) and RM100,000 for implementing cooperative development programs this year to SKM Melaka. Additionally, five top cooperatives in the state received awards for their achievements, with Koperasi Pegawai Kerajaan Negeri Melaka Berhad taking first place.

At the same event, the Profile Book of the Top 30 Cooperatives in Melaka was launched, showcasing the achievements of outstanding cooperatives to serve as a reference and inspiration for other cooperatives in the state.