KUCHING, SARAWAK. July 31, 2025 – The Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP) conducted an engagement session with the Sarawak state government to discuss the drafting of a new Cooperatives Bill, aimed at replacing the existing Cooperatives Act 1993 (Act 502).
The session was chaired by KUSKOP Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick and attended by several Sarawak deputy ministers, state assembly members, and government officials.
“I appreciate the feedback, views, and suggestions provided during this engagement session,” Ewon said after chairing the meeting here yesterday.
“I hope to present the first reading of the bill in Parliament by the end of this year, followed by the second and third readings early next year, before it is gazetted and enforced.”
He extended thanks to the Sarawak government for their commitment and cooperation in making the session a success.
Ewon explained that the new bill seeks to strengthen the cooperative movement by liberalizing legal aspects and enhancing the role of the Malaysia Cooperative Commission (SKM) as the primary regulatory body.
“A study conducted in 2023 found existing legal constraints that hinder cooperatives from directly conducting business activities across various sectors,” he said.
“I hope the enactment of this bill will bolster the cooperative ecosystem, simplify business operations, and elevate governance toward a more inclusive and sustainable national economy.”
To date, KUSKOP has held 14 engagement sessions with various stakeholders, including the national cooperative movement.
Also present were KUSKOP Secretary-General Dato’ Sri Khairul Dzaimee Daud and SKM Deputy Chief Executive Officer Haji Azam Sulaiman.
Representing Sarawak were Deputy Minister for International Trade, Industry and Investment Datuk Malcolm Mussen Lamoh; Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability Dr. Hazland Abang Hipni; and Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Law and Native Customs) Datuk Jefferson Jamit Unyat.