Presiden Prabowo Subianto’s flagship programs, namely Free Nutritious Meals (Makan Bergizi Gratis / MBG), People’s School (Sekolah Rakyat), and Merah Putih Village/Urban Cooperatives (Koperasi Desa/Kelurahan Merah Putih / Kopdes), are being recognized as pathways towards accelerating poverty eradication. These initiatives are not only aimed at reducing poverty through social assistance, but also at empowering individuals and promoting economic self-reliance. According to Budiman Sudjatmiko, the Head of the Poverty Eradication Acceleration Agency (BP Taskin), President Prabowo’s objective is to equip individuals with skills, knowledge, proper nutrition, and economic opportunities in order to score a “goal” of eradicating poverty.
The People’s School program focuses on breaking the poverty cycle, while the Free Nutritious Meals and Merah Putih Urban Cooperatives bring economic benefits to entire communities. The implementation of these programs is expected to create numerous job opportunities, benefiting various sectors such as farmers, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and village-owned enterprises (BUMDes). Nanik S. Deyang, Deputy Head of BP Taskin, emphasized how these initiatives provide tangible hope for independence to poor households by offering access to quality education and economic opportunities.
The Merah Putih Urban Cooperatives play a vital role in eliminating costly intermediaries from supply chains, allowing for fair pricing of essential goods like LPG cylinders and fertilizers. Additionally, these cooperatives offer affordable credit options, liberating individuals from exploitative lending practices. Overall, the combination of these programs is envisioned to uplift communities, create sustainable livelihoods, and ultimately contribute to poverty alleviation in Indonesia.
