Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Government Employees Cooperative Society Berhad (Kopeks) is set to strengthen regional cooperative ties through a collaboration with several cooperatives in Brunei Darussalam as part of its business transformation agenda.
Chairman Datuk Saat Ag Damit said the partnership would be established through the Dewan Perniagaan dan Perusahaan Melayu Brunei Berhad, which represents a number of cooperatives in the Sultanate.
He announced the initiative during the 49th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Kopeks, held in conjunction with the cooperative’s 63rd anniversary celebration.
Saat described the collaboration as a significant step in expanding the cooperative’s business network beyond Sabah and fostering closer regional cooperation.
“The partnership reflects the cooperative’s commitment to exploring new opportunities that can benefit its members and strengthen long-term growth,” he said.
Established on Aug 11, 1963, Kopeks is recognised as Sabah’s oldest credit cooperative and this year’s AGM marked its 63rd year of operations.
In another major development, Kopeks announced plans to establish its official media platform, to be known as Kinabalu Media.
Saat said the initiative would be implemented through two publication formats, namely a daily online news platform and a monthly printed newspaper.
Kinabalu Media will be operated under Kopeks subsidiary One Kinabalu.
He said the platform is intended to serve as a community and government news channel that delivers credible, authoritative and accessible information to the public.
With the slogan “Akhbar Komuniti”, Kinabalu Media is also expected to contribute to the growth and development of Sabah’s media industry.
Saat said both the Brunei collaboration and media initiative form part of Kopeks’ broader business transformation strategy.
Under the theme “Kopeks Transformasi Perniagaan Koperasi”, the cooperative has been pursuing new business sectors to diversify income sources and reduce reliance on traditional credit operations.
“As part of that strategy, Kopeks recently entered the healthcare sector through clinics in Kota Kinabalu, Sepanggar and Kota Belud.
“The clinics have begun generating encouraging returns despite being in operation for only a short period,” he said.
He also emphasised that Kopeks has also expanded into dialysis services through a business collaboration with Angkasa at a dialysis centre in the Federal Territory of Labuan, which commenced operations two weeks ago.
Saat said the cooperative hopes to work with Angkasa on additional dialysis centres in Sabah and is exploring opportunities in locations including Tuaran, Ranau and Keningau.
“The cooperative is also strengthening its Ar Rahnu operations through a new branch in Tawau, which is expected to begin operations in September,” he added.
He noted that, in conjunction with the expansion, Kopeks will sign a memorandum of understanding with Rakyat Management Services, a long-standing strategic partner in its Islamic pawn-broking business.
Saat said Kopeks had also secured approval for RM30 million in revolving capital funding from Bank Rakyat to support its credit and Ar Rahnu operations.
Despite its business expansion plans, he said Kopeks remains committed to community programmes, including educational assistance, welfare aid, disaster relief, support for mosques and suraus, assistance for asnaf students, persons with disabilities and single mothers.
“The cooperative would continue pursuing new business opportunities while maintaining its commitment to serving members and contributing to the wider community,” Saat said.
