Entrepreneurs advocate Cooperative for growth
5 March 2025
PENAMPANG: Cooperatives play a vital role in the economy by supporting their members, promoting community development, and encouraging sustainable practices. Through collaboration and democratic governance, cooperatives harness collective strength to deliver a variety of benefits to both individuals and communities.
Rio Yudhistira, the chairman of Koperasi Pelayaran Marudu Sabah Berhad, is a firm advocate for the benefits that cooperatives bring to their members. The cooperative comprises 42 members, all of whom engage in producing a variety of snacks, including fritters and crisps.
“I am personally responsible for managing the sales of our cooperative's products, which also feature coffee among our offerings. Established in 2022, our cooperative has significantly enhanced my experience by providing various advantages. What I find most commendable is the ease of accessing support, financial guarantees, and training opportunities, which have collectively empowered us to grow and thrive as a community,” he said.
“To young entrepreneurs, I strongly recommend the establishment of cooperatives. The process has become significantly more accessible compared to previous years. Nowadays, it only takes a minimum of ten individuals to form a cooperative, whereas in the past, a larger group of members was typically required, often making it a daunting prospect for many,” he said.
“Cooperatives provide a range of services tailored to meet the needs of their members, include access to products, resources, technical support, and shared facilities. It also allows members to pool their resources, such as labour, finance and expertise to achieve economies of scale, which can reduce costs and increase efficiency.”
According to him, the collective products produced by the 42 members of the cooperative are successfully marketed in the local market, serving both their immediate community and the surrounding areas.
By working together, they are able to pool their resources, share expertise, and create a diverse range of products that meet the needs of their customers, ultimately enhancing the livelihoods of everyone involved.
Jusnah Jinos, a member of Koperasi Kraftangan Bitoon Ranau Berhad, notes that the cooperative was established just last year and currently comprises 20 members.
“Our primary products include handicrafts made from Dalai and accessories from beads. In the past, our community functioned independently, but since joining the cooperative last year, we have witnessed considerable improvements. Collaborating as a cooperative has truly made a positive impact on our work and community,” she shared.
“We are a new cooperative but we can see in the long run it can help us grow and expand our businesses. That is the strength of the cooperatives and we want to tap this potential for our future endeavors,” she said.
Regarding their product supply, she mentioned that it primarily comes from Dalai. Dalai is a type of grass that produces hard seeds used for making beads. While it grows naturally, to ensure a reliable supply, they are now cultivating it on their land in Kg. Bitoon.
These seeds are highly sought after as materials for crafting necklaces, bracelets, and waist ornaments that were popular in the past. In recent years, there has been a revival in their use, and they are now being marketed and promoted by handicraft entrepreneurs.
On their patterns and style of the accessories, she shared that its all about creativity although observing others and their craftmanship also inspire her.
Overall, collaborative efforts in cooperatives can foster innovation as members share knowledge, skills, and experiences. This collective intelligence can lead to new ideas and adaptability to changing market condition. As such, with perseverance and tenacity, cooperatives can go far in the business community.
