Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili has urged local communities in Kota Marudu to participate in cooperatives to improve and uplift their economic status.

Ongkili, who is also Kota Marudu Member of Parliament, said cooperatives were established in the country to promote economic development through small investment made by its members to meet their mutual needs.

"Cooperatives' products are based on powerful idea of its members, that together, they can achieve all goals," he said when addressing the "Program Prihatin Terhadap Koperasi dan Masyarakat" roadshow here Friday.

To date, there are 1,377 cooperatives in Sabah with some 350,000 members, of which 56 are actively operating here (Kota Marudu) with 6,500 members.

-BERNAMA