Datuk Ewon Benedick: Cooperatives as the Social Pillar of the Nation, SKM and Seven Cooperatives Deliver RM152,100 in Aid to Sabah Flood Victims
By Mohd Khairy Abdullah @ DG Henry
KOTA BELUD (Sabah, Malaysia), October 3, 2025 — Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, Datuk Ewon Benedick, underscored that Malaysia’s cooperative movement is not merely an economic instrument but a social pillar of the nation, standing at the forefront whenever communities face disasters.
His remarks came as the Malaysian Cooperative Commission (SKM), together with seven major cooperatives from the Federal Territory, extended RM152,100 in humanitarian aid to flood victims in Kadamaian and Penampang.
The aid package included food baskets, school uniforms, water pumps, high-pressure cleaning machines, canvas sheets, water tanks, and boats — essential supplies aimed at easing the immediate burden of affected households and facilitating community recovery. While part of the assistance had been delivered earlier to Penampang, the remainder was formally handed over during a ceremony at Dewan Tamu Desa Kg Sumbilingon, officiated by Datuk Ewon.
“The compassion demonstrated by SKM and our cooperatives is clear evidence that these entities do not serve members alone. They are social institutions that act as a shield when the people are struck by hardship. I am proud that Malaysia’s cooperative movement continues to embody solidarity and genuine humanitarian values,” said Datuk Ewon.
He further emphasized that the cooperative sector’s CSR initiatives are national in scope, carried out across the country whenever disasters occur, complementing the government’s efforts in managing humanitarian crises.
“This contribution demonstrates that cooperatives are institutions that go beyond internal economic interests, delivering direct benefits to the wider society. I hope this commitment will continue to inspire other cooperatives, as well as the private sector, to extend their goodwill when it is needed most,” he added.
The cooperatives involved in the initiative were Koperasi Ladang Berhad, Koperasi Kakitangan Petronas Berhad, Koperasi Generasi Felda Baru Berhad, Koperasi Sahabat Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia Berhad, Koperasi Pegawai-Pegawai Melayu Malaysia Berhad, Koperasi Tenaga Nasional Berhad, and Koperasi Kakitangan Felda Malaysia Berhad.
Also present at the ceremony were SKM Chairman, Lieutenant General (R) Datuk Ahmad Norihan Jalal, senior SKM officials, and cooperative leaders who contributed to the aid mission.
This initiative reinforces the message that under the leadership of Datuk Ewon and SKM, the cooperative movement stands as a dynamic socio-economic ecosystem, deeply rooted in humanitarian solidarity and national resilience.
