ASAJAYA: Cooperatives in the state are encouraged to apply for business loans from Malaysia Co-operative Societies Commission (SKM).
Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar clarified that SKM does not provide ‘out-and-out’ grants in big amounts.
“However, SKM has big financial resources to be given out as loans to assist the cooperatives in need of capital for their businesses,” he said.
He said this when officiating at an exploration event in conjunction with Malaysia Prihatin Programme held at a Cavendish banana plantation owned by Koperasi Penduduk Daerah Asajaya Berhad (KPDAB) near here today.
He was responding to a request from the co-operative society for an allocation of RM300,000 for the purchase of drone sprayer and other facilities for use at the plantation.
On the lack of skilled workers, Wan Junaidi said the cooperatives could submit a letter to him so that he could endorse the request for foreign workers to enter the state.
“On my part, I can discuss with the Home Affairs Minister because the decision to approve the entry of foreign workers would be made by him.
“However, in Sarawak, there would be an extra process where you need to get the approval from the state government,” he pointed out.
Wan Junaidi also said cooperatives were no longer required to obtain approval from SKM prior to moving to a new location or when opening a new branch, following amendments to the Cooperatives Society Act 1993 which came into effect early this month.
“Through the amendments, cooperatives are only required to notify SKM of their new locations,” he added.
