SHAH ALAM, The Angkatan Koperasi Kebangsaan Malaysia Berhad (Angkasa) is ready to assist approximately 7,780 parent-teacher associations (PTA) for primary schools nationwide in establishing cooperatives.

Its president Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Fattah Abdullah said that besides instilling an entrepreneurial culture indirectly to all parties involved, the profits from the cooperatives could be used to drive PTA activities related to excellence and learning in schools.

As of last year, he said a total of 22 PTA and alumni cooperatives for primary schools had been established nationwide.

“We are aware that not all parents are able to contribute financially. Therefore, PTAs are encouraged to use the right and effective platform to raise funds to further expand their roles.

“Hence, Angkasa as the apex cooperative body recognised by the government always provides support and encouragement to non-governmental organisations and associations, especially PAT and school alumni, to establish cooperatives,” he said after la
unching the 29th PAT Meeting of Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Taman Alam Megah here today.

Abdul Fattah said the PAT cooperatives could also sponsor activities conducted by the school besides conducting business to meet the needs of cooperative members and the school community.

Meanwhile, he said cooperatives in Malaysia contributed 2.7 per cent to gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023 with earnings of RM64.5 billion, with school cooperatives also contributing to that amount.

Commenting further, he said 23 secondary school cooperatives achieved a turnover of RM1 million each while one achieved RM2 million.

“This clearly demonstrates that cooperatives have become a platform capable of fostering entrepreneurship at all ages. Moreover, cooperatives established by PATs undoubtedly have great thinkers and movers behind them,” he added.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency