KALABAKAN: The Murut Kalabakan Tawau Development Cooperative Berhad (KPMKTB) made history by distributing its first income in 43 years, paying a total of RM235,000 to its 235 members.
The distribution comprised RM1,000 for each member, generated from income earned over one month from Aug 1 to 31.
Sabah Malaysian Co-operative Commission (SKM) Director Awang Rusli Mohammad said the achievement demonstrated that the cooperative movement could effectively manage and administer plantations while providing direct benefits to its members.
He described the achievement as a positive development following the cooperative’s takeover of plantation management from Felda on Aug 1, noting that it managed to generate income for its members within a month.
He said the income distributed to members was expected to increase to about RM1,500 each, based on the returns recorded for September.
Awang Rusli was speaking to the media after officiating the KPMKTB First Income Distribution Ceremony at the Felda Kalabakan Tengah office here, Saturday, which was also attended by KPMKTB Chairman Asfaliza Batan.
He said although the achievement followed a long struggle, it ultimately demonstrated the cooperative’s ability to manage the plantation sector, not only in Kalabakan but potentially throughout Sabah.
“I am very proud that we, the KPMKTB management, are on the right track in this cooperative movement by planning our own future. Perhaps it is difficult for us to forget the difficult 43-year period.
“However, when the cooperative movement is guided properly, it can work effectively and ultimately make an impact on its members and the local community,” he said.
He pledged to ensure the cooperative complied with relevant laws and managed plantation operations effectively, in recognition of the opportunity given by Felda to the cooperative to manage the plantation.
He said this included encouraging the cooperative to adopt modern agricultural technology to improve plantation management efficiency, such as using drones for fertilising and spraying crops.
Awang Rusli said it was time to explore such technology, particularly among younger cooperative members, to ensure the agricultural sector kept pace with current developments.
He also urged cooperative members to maintain unity and support their elected leadership to ensure the cooperative movement continued to grow.