KUALA LUMPUR: The new Cooperatives Act, set to replace the Co-operative Societies Act 1993 (Act 502) is expected to be tabled in Parliament next year, said Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Datuk Ewon Benedick.
He said the drafting process for the new act, which involves all stakeholders, including the 16,000 cooperatives in the country, is now at the engagement session stage with target groups.
“Now still (in discussion) at the policy-making stage involving officers, target groups and several stakeholders and I have asked that this discussion also includes the cooperative movement.
“I aim to present the draft policy to the Cabinet by the end of this year, at the latest, while we plan to bring the comprehensive draft of the new act to Parliament next year,” he said.
He told reporters this after officiating the Rubber Park @KLCC project at the grounds of Kompleks Bangunan Getah Asli here last night, which was also attended by Koperasi Lembaga Getah Malaysia Berhad (Kopget) chairman Muhd Fandy Zainal Abidin.
The media had previously quoted Ewon as saying that 96 original provisions in Act 502 would be restructured and improved and an estimated 200 new amendments (provisions) would be included in the act.
Meanwhile, on the Rubber Park @KLCC project, Ewon believes it will add complementary commercial value to tourism activities around the Jalan Ampang intersection and its surrounding areas.
He said the project was accomplished by the cooperative movement to meet local requirements in this Golden Triangle area.
“Kuala Lumpur has always been a key attraction, especially among tourists, and I’m confident that Rubber Park @ KLCC will, after this, be the talk among city dwellers as the place to unwind on weekends and weekdays,” he said, adding that he hopes the project will become “a must-visit place in Kuala Lumpur”.
Rubber Park @KLCC is a project featuring various business units, including a Sports Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Clinic (ProPain), convenience stores, food outlets and souvenir shops, around the KLCC building.
The project was developed through a strategic collaboration between Koperasi Profesional Putrajaya Berhad (Koprojaya) and Kopget. – BERNAMA
