JAKARTA – The Merah Putih Village/Sub-district Cooperative (Kopdes Merah Putih) continues to demonstrate its strategic role as a driving force for the people’s economy by expanding its business units into the clay roof tile production sector. This step demonstrates concrete support for the national roof tile program initiated by President Prabowo Subianto and strengthens village economic independence based on local potential.
Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs Ferry Juliantono emphasized that the Merah Putih Village Cooperative is ready to spearhead roof tile production, especially in areas with abundant clay raw materials and established craft traditions. He stated that this expansion not only supports national policy but also opens up new business opportunities for rural communities.
“Yes, we can (produce roof tiles). We, the Merah Putih Village/Sub-district Cooperative, can do it. We’re ready to make roof tiles. What’s so difficult about it? This is actually a great opportunity for cooperatives to grow and improve the welfare of their members,” said Ferry Juliantono.
Ferry made this statement after signing a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Cooperatives and the Indonesian Farmers Union (SPI) on strengthening the Red and White Village Cooperatives (Kopdes) in Jakarta. He believes that roof tile production can become a leading business unit for village cooperatives because it is based on national needs and leverages existing regional potential.
“Cooperatives don’t always have to start from scratch. We can partner with existing roof tile artisans, and the cooperative can then expand production, strengthen capital, and expand marketing,” said Ferry.
Through this partnership, Kopdes Merah Putih is expected to act as an aggregator and distributor, enabling local roof tile products to be marketed more widely through cooperative networks across various regions. This strategy is considered effective in strengthening community-based small industries and creating new jobs in the village.
Ferry also emphasized that roof tile production is nothing new to Indonesians. Therefore, the Merah Putih Village Cooperative (Kopdes Merah Putih) has a significant opportunity to optimize this potential as part of sustainable village economic transformation. “Roof tiles have long been produced in the regions. The cooperative just needs to organize and strengthen it,” he said.
Meanwhile, President Prabowo Subianto previously proposed the idea of national roofing, a major initiative to replace zinc roofs with clay tiles. According to the President, the use of roof tiles not only beautifies Indonesia but also improves the comfort of people’s homes.
“I want all roofs in Indonesia to be tiled. The project is a nationwide roofing project, and village cooperatives will be its backbone,” Prabowo said.
With the support of government policies and the readiness of the Red and White Village Cooperative to expand its business units, the national gentrification program is believed to not only strengthen the housing sector, but also become a momentum for the revival of the village economy and cooperatives as the main pillars of national development.
