MEDAC targets 10 per cent mosques to set up own cooperative next year

KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (MEDAC) is targeting 10 per cent of the 7,005 mosques nationwide to set up their own cooperatives next year.

Minister Tan Sri Noh Omar said it had the potential to restore the function of a mosque as not only a place of worship but also a centre for local economic development.

"Currently, only seven per cent of mosques nationwide have their own cooperatives which have succeeded in creating a business atmosphere so as to be able to improve the economy in their areas and strengthen the relationship between kariah members," he told reporters after launching the AsnafPreneur Transformation Programme (TAP) here today.

Noh said TAP was an initiative under Yayasan Prihatin Nasional (PRIHATIN) in providing support to asnaf through financial assistance, entrepreneurship training and business equipment.

"This programme can give extraordinary implications to the asnaf to generate income and further upgrade the economy towards becoming competitive entrepreneurs," he added.

-- BERNAMA