THURSDAY-13TH DECEMBER 2007-Change of name for Cooperative Devt Dept

Change of name for Cooperative Devt Dept
KENINGAU:
The Malaysia Cooperative Development Department (JPK) will be known as the Malaysia Cooperative Commission (SKM) beginning next year, State Cooperative Development Department director Umar Sarim Saidin said yesterday. “JPK will be abolished and become SKM starting January 1, 2008,” he said when officiating the RM47,000 Kampung Panoi and Marasak Cooperative Berhad new shop building at the village here. Umar Sarim said following the change of its name, SKM would become one of the Federal Government corporations. According to him, cooperatives are recognized by the Government as the third sector that generates the country’s economy. He said the recognition given by the Government showed the important role played by cooperatives in the nation’s economy development. Umar Sarim hoped cooperative members would grab the opportunity to implement activities which had been planned and could give better returns to the members. “There are various activities that could be taken part by cooperatives but those members who have been trusted to carry away the cooperative business and administration must be efficient in implementing them. “Various challenges will be faced by the cooperative movement in the present globalization era and its administration should be strengthened for the future challenges,” he said. Umar Sarim also urged cooperative members to upgrade their knowledge by participating in courses and seminars organized by JPK, Malaysia Cooperative College and ANGKASA. Present at the function were Keningau Regional Cooperative Development Department assistant director Jeffrey Chong, JPK officer Rosemary Gitang and Kampung Panoi Marasak Cooperative Berhad chairman Juinol Manggor.