Through facilitating the development of the co-operatives (co-ops) sector, the Registry of Co-operative Societies' work furthers the Ministry's mission of building social capital and making Singapore home through the promotion of active citizenship.
With inputs from the various stakeholders, the Registry updates our policies and rules periodically so as to build a robust regulatory framework for the proper governance and sound management of the co-ops. This way, Singaporeans and residents will have confidence in the co-op structure and continue to participate in the co-op movement.
12 Jul 2023
Updated Written Direction on Investments
The updated written direction on investments has been issued on 12 July 2023. It can be found under “Prudential requirements for credit co-ops”.
3 July 2022
Cessation of Alternative Arrangements for Meetings on 1 July 2023
The COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Alternative Arrangements for Meetings) Orders (the “Meetings Orders”) which temporarily enabled entities (including co-operative societies “co-ops”) to hold meetings through electronic means during the COVID-19 pandemic, has ceased on 1 July 2023.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Meetings Orders provided entities with a temporary option to hold virtual or hybrid meetings even if this was not allowed under the applicable laws or legal instruments.
If a co-op wishes to have the option of holding a virtual or hybrid general meeting from 1 July 2023, it should amend its by-laws to expressly provide for such meetings.
Co-ops should also note that going forward, some changes in the manner in which virtual or hybrid general meetings are conducted may be necessary. For example, from 1 July 2023, individual members can no longer vote by proxy (since the Co-op Act requires individual members to exercise their votes in person). Co-ops must also ensure that members are able to ask questions, communicate their views, and vote at the meeting, in real time via electronic means (as opposed to only viewing a webcast).
To guide co-ops on the proper conduct of virtual or hybrid general meetings, the Registry has published model by-law amendments as well as Guidelines on the Conduct of Virtual and Hybrid General Meetings which can be found under “Resources and useful links”.
For further information or queries, please contact us at MCCY_Regcoop@mccy.gov.sg.