BACHOK, May 23 (Bernama) -- The Santuni MADANI programme under the ‘One Leader, One Village’ initiative has the potential to become a catalyst for rural community development through a hands-on management approach, integrated monitoring and more effective service delivery to the people.
Cooperative Commission of Malaysia (SKM) chief executive officer Noor Afifah Abdul Razak said the selection of Kampung Badak as the adopted village under the programme reflected a strong commitment towards enhancing the well-being of the local community.
“This programme is in line with the aspirations of the 13th Malaysia Plan, particularly in eradicating poverty, improving the living standards of rural communities and strengthening the local economic ecosystem,” she told Bernama at the One Leader, One Village (Santuni MADANI) programme in Kampung Badak today.
During the programme, 100 asnaf recipients received zakat contributions from Bank Rakyat, demonstrating the corporate sector’s commitment to assisting communities in a more organised and comprehensive manner.
Elaborating further, Noor Afifah said one of the key initiatives implemented was the installation of a solar energy system at Masjid An Nur Mukim Badak at a cost of RM50,000.
"The project will not only significantly reduce the mosque's electricity bill, but also support the use of renewable energy and reduce the community's carbon footprint in line with the country's sustainability agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
"The installation work was carried out by a local contractor appointed by SKM in April and was fully completed in mid-May," she said.
Noor Afifah said the cooperative movement would continue to be strengthened as an important instrument for the economic development of rural communities, and as a result, following discussions with village leaders, the mosque committee and local residents, Koperasi Kariah Masjid An Nur Mukim Badak Berhad was established.
She said the cooperative was registered last March 6, making it the first cooperative registered in the village.
"We will ensure that this cooperative thrives through technical guidance, leadership training and access to the cooperative ecosystem provided by SKM," she said.
Commenting on the Jualan Madani Koperasi (JMK) initiative, she said the programme offered daily necessities at prices up to 20 per cent lower than market prices and discounts of 30 per cent through the 'Happy Hour' slot.
"I am confident that Kampung Badak has great potential to emerge as a model for rural community development based on the cooperative movement, green economy and the spirit of MADANI Malaysia that can be emulated throughout the country," she said.
-- BERNAMA
