President Prabowo Subianto’s initiative to strengthen rural economies and improve the welfare of communities in villages across Indonesia is exemplified by the Koperasi Desa/Kelurahan (Village/Urban Village Cooperative) Merah Putih. Senior Advisor Adita Irawati from the Presidential Communication Office (PCO) described this program as a significant step towards village-based national development, marking a new era of economic independence for rural communities. The initiative aims to transition villages from dependency on social assistance to productive, sustainable economic empowerment.
Despite the program’s launch coinciding with Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day celebrations, the country still faces challenges in meeting essential needs and driving local economies. Fish catch storage, debt issues among micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs, lack of healthcare facilities in more than 50,000 villages, and the absence of cooperative services in 70% of urban areas are just some of the prevalent issues. President Prabowo’s launch of 80,081 Kopdes Merah Putih cooperatives aims to address these challenges strategically by fostering entrepreneurship, creating jobs, and strengthening local production centers sustainably.
Dedi Nurendi, head of the Kopdes Merah Putih in Cileunyi Wetan village, Bandung regency, West Java, attested to the program’s positive impact on the community. Residents no longer have to travel long distances to purchase basic necessities or rely on informal lenders for savings and loans thanks to the cooperative. This initiative, according to Dedi, serves as a genuine solution to the economic needs of the community, promoting a spirit of mutual cooperation among villagers.
