Kota Kinabalu: The newly elected President of Sabah United Islamic Association (Usia) Datuk Sapawi Ahmad has pledged to re-brand Koperasi Usia and Yayasan Usia as part of the latest initiatives under Usia Strategic Revitalisation Plan 2.0 (2025–2027).
He said such move is vital to re-activate both entities that had not been active as well as to further strengthen the role of Usia, which is the largest Islamic-based non-governmental organisation in Sabah.
“The current Yayasan Usia and Koperasi Usia are inactive, prompting us to decide to re-brand both entities, as they hold the potentials to contribute significantly to Usia development.
“Hence, we will reactive both through rebranding efforts including a possibility of changing the name of Yayasan Usia which will be discussed.
“As for the cooperative, it would be good to be rebranded as it could generate economic strength.
For instance, Usia Tambunan has a cooperative, although small but it can provide dividends to members and fund their activities,” he said in a press conference here, recently, after retaining his position as Usia President during the 38th Usia Annual Delegates General Meeting on Dec 8.
He won the top post for a second term with 192 votes, defeating Dato’ Mohammad Yusuf Apdal, who obtained 124 votes in the election.
He said there is another Koperasi Usia in Libaran which benefits the members.
He said they would bring in qualified and professional individuals to drive these two Usia entities so as to realise its aspirations.
Sapawi said most of the mission and vision outlined in the Usia Strategic Revitalisation Plan 1.0 2022–2024, launched earlier, had been achieved.
According to him, the new leadership of Usia will continue with its existing initiatives while entering the second phase of the plan involving several assets.
“Among them is the second phase upgrading of the Usia building in Sembulan, which was previously delayed due to technical issues at the ministry level.
These have now been resolved, and Usia will fully manage the project.
“Similarly, USsia Dakwah Training Centre in Kota Marudu is currently undergoing a name change to the Sabah Islamic Skills College (KKIS) and is expected to be operational next year,” he said.
Additionally, Sapawi said development of a commercial project on Usia-owned 12 acres in Semporna town, conducted by strategic partners, is progressing according to schedule and is expected to be completed by 2026.
He said Usia would soon organise a workshop on the Usia Strategic Revitalisation Plan 2.0 to set the organization’s new mission and vision for the next three years.
On appointment of new Supreme Council members, he said they consist of new faces and a combination of skills, professions and age.
