KUALA LUMPUR: National Cooperative Movement of Malaysia Bhd (Angkasa) board member Datuk Kamarudin Ismail was re-elected to the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) for the 2022-2026 term during the ICA Elective General Assembly 2022 held in Seville, Spain, on Tuesday.
Kamarudin defended his position as an ICA board member representing Malaysia in the election during the general assembly of the parent body of global cooperatives.
Fifteen board members from 21 candidates were selected to serve for four years till 2026. Dr Ariel Guarco of Argentina was re-elected as the ICA president.
Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Tan Sri Noh Omar, who led the Malaysian delegation to the general assembly, said Kamarudin's re-election as a board member at the global level was an honour and recognition for the national cooperative movement.
"With the presence of Malaysians in the leadership of the ICA, I see the existence of a bridge that can connect cooperatives in Malaysia and cooperatives abroad.
"My hope is that cooperatives are not tied to businesses only in the country but they should also expand their activities and be involved in international trade and contribute to import and export activities," he said in a statement.
Angkasa president Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Fattah Abdullah said Angkasa had been a permanent member of the ICA since 1972 and had always played an active role at the global level to ensure that the national cooperative movement had a presence abroad to facilitate cooperation between cooperatives to explore new sectors and enhance business networks.
The Malaysian delegation consisted of 70 representatives from the Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development and Finance ministries, the Malaysian Cooperative Commission (SKM), Malaysian Cooperative Institute (IKMa), Angkasa and several cooperatives listed among Malaysia's 100 best cooperatives.
Also present were Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Ministry deputy secretary-general (policy and monitoring) Datuk Mohammad Radhi Abdul Razak; SKM executive chairman Zazali Haron; IKMa director-general Datuk Mohd Ali Mansor; Abdul Fattah, and Bank Rakyat chairman Datuk Abd Rani Lebai Jaafar.