TANAH MERAH (Oct 12): The National Cooperative Organisation of Malaysia Bhd (Angkasa) has suggested that all registered cooperatives, including mosque cooperatives, fulfil the qualification requirements to become MyKasih store business partners.

Angkasa President Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Fattah Abdullah said that currently, there are 3,600 registered cooperatives recorded nationwide, including 730 mosque cooperatives and Kabin Qariah Cooperatives.

"Out of that total, there are 1,400 active cooperatives, but only 277 have registered as strategic partners for the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) initiative so far.

"We want at least all 1,400 active cooperatives, including mosque cooperatives, to meet the requirements to also provide this service to consumers to enable them to generate more lucrative income," he told reporters at the launch of the Kabin Coop Mart Koperasi Kariah Masjid Ismail Petra here on Monday.

Elaborating further, Abdul Fattah said his party will also hold discussions with the government to request flexibility for certain conditions, especially for cooperatives located in rural areas, to become MyKasih business partners.

He said the government has allocated a total of RM15 million to Angkasa this year for the implementation of 1,000 Jualan Rahmah programmes.

"This advantage must be seized by all cooperatives by ensuring that the cooperatives developed meet the prescribed conditions, including holding a controlled goods licence and being registered with the Inland Revenue Board," he said.

He said the development of mosque Qariah cooperatives is among important efforts to strengthen the community's economy through the spirit of cooperation, togetherness, and social responsibility.

"Mosques are not only centres of worship but also possess the strength as community unification centres that can be utilised to develop economic activities for the well-being of members and surrounding residents," he said.

He also informed that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, during the National Cooperative Congress, allocated RM500,000 specifically to empower mosque Qariah cooperatives nationwide, thus reflecting the importance of the cooperative movement in opening economic opportunities for the community.

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