PAHANG'S OLDEST COOPERATIVE, KPKP, CONTINUES TO THRIVE A CENTURY LATER

KUANTAN, Feb 1 (Bernama) -- Koperasi Pegawai-Pegawai Kerajaan Negeri Pahang Darul Makmur Berhad (KPKP), set up by a group of state civil servants 100 years ago, has not only benefitted its past and present members, but has continued to thrive and remain strong and relevant.

Established on Jan 1, 1926, "The Pahang Government Servants Co-operative Thrift and Loan Society Limited”, as it was originally known, had its modest beginnings in Kuala Lipis before expanding over time to become an institution that has become a symbol of cooperation, trust and resilience.

KPKP chairman Mohd Azman Ibrahim said that one century later, the cooperative, the first in the state, remains an institution that continues to benefit thousands of the state's civil servants.

In tracing the cooperative's various stages of growth from before and after independence until today's digital world, he said that the "secret” to its continued strength lies in good governance, capable leadership and the practice of prioritising the safeguarding of members’ welfare.

"Despite the passage of time, this cooperative is still able to face various challenges, including the COVID-19 outbreak. We always conduct business that is competitive and provides the best returns for our members,” he told Bernama.

He said that KPKP, which once had the country's second Prime Minister, the late Tun Abdul Razak, listed as a member, now has over 7,000 members from the state civil service, adding that it offers various benefits to its members, including loans and welfare assistance.

He added that the state's oldest cooperative also provides benefits like schooling assistance and support for further studies at higher learning institutions for members’ children, aid in times of natural disasters, assistance for members’ marriages and death benefits.

"KPKP also carries out other hotel business activities, petrol stations, oil palm plantations and coconut plantations, as well as the Islamic Pawn Services (Ar-Rahnu),” said Mohd Azman.

As the cooperative moves into its second century, he said the role and unity among members will play a crucial role in ensuring that it remains relevant through the ages and continues to excel as one of the best in Malaysia, especially in Pahang.

"This cooperative belongs to us ...the members’ support, active involvement and fresh new ideas are its actual strength,” he said.

In conjunction with the 100th anniversary of its establishment, various programmes have been planned for this year, including yesterday's Fun Run and People's Sports in Kuala Lipis, thus symbolising the KPKP's first location upon its inception.

The two events, which attracted over 500 participants, serve as a precursor to the main celebration that is slated for June.

Meanwhile, KPKP general manager Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman said the cooperative began its operations at the Kualal Lipis Information Office before moving to the Transit Quarters at Jalan Kuantan, when Kuantan became the capital of Pahang.

He added that in the 1960s, the KPKP bought two three-storey shoplots in Jalan Mahkota here for RM108,000, making it the first cooperative in Pahang to have its own office.

"The cooperative continued to grow, enabling KPKP to own four three-storey shoplots at Jalan Gambut 2 here in 1914 for RM1.4 million, which has been used as KPKP's administrative office to this day. It is now known as Wisma KPKP,” he added.

-- BERNAMA