The Telang Usan cooperative body (KOBERA) was launched yesterday with the aim of reducing the rural poverty in the huge rural constituency.
“This is a historic moment for our people in Telang Usan for through this cooperative movement we hope to bring changes little by little to our rural community. We aim to bring socio-economic changes through our participation in this cooperative movement,” said the chairman of Telang Usan KOBERA Lihan Jok.
Lihan, who is also the Telang Usan assemblyman, said this during a simple launching prior to its inaugural annual general meeting at Dynasty Hotel yesterday.
Present were the Kayan community leader Penghulu Ajang Wan, the assistant director of Malaysian Cooperative Commission (SKM) Miri Lily Fauziah Adenan.
Lihan disclosed that in a study conducted in 2004, Telang Usan constituency was among the five areas in the state having its population living below the poverty level.
During the meeting, Lihan, as the chairman, also announced the committee line up namely Jok Eng Jok (secretary), councillor Jaraw Brahim (treasurer), Alexander Lian (deputy chairman) and the following members of the board of directors Dorus Katan, Howard Wan, Garry Hashim, Mulin, Robin Udau.
Three persons namely Francis Ding, Erang Ngang and councillor Dennis Ngau Jok were appointed as the internal auditors.
Lihan said this is a good opportunity to serve the needy in our community.
“This is the best opportunity I can give you all to be partners with me to serve our people. You will be the agents of change for our community. The very fact that you were willing to cooperate and be united is a profit in itself already. I hope this spirit of unity will bring the cooperative movement in our constituency to greater heights in the future. The rise and fall of any cooperatives body in the country depend on those who lead and manage the cooperative,” said Lihan.
For this year, Lihan hoped to be able to register 300 members.
“Priority will be given to handicapped persons (OKU) and single mothers in the constituency. I wish to clarify that this is not a welfare body. Even though we are targetting these groups of people as members, this is not a welfare exercise where these people expect handouts. They must be active and productive to be members. For example, the handicapped persons are capable of doing things like handicrafts,” explained Lihan.
