JAKARTA – The government continues to strengthen the role of the Red and White Village Cooperative (KDMP) as a strategic instrument to encourage the revival of the people’s economy while accelerating more inclusive development down to the village level.
Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming emphasized that the government is currently improving the governance of various priority programs, including the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) and the Red and White Village Cooperative.
According to him, this step was taken so that the program implementation would be more targeted and provide maximum benefits to the community.
“The government is committed to improving the governance of the MBG and KDMP to ensure that every rupiah truly benefits the community and that program execution is more targeted, effective, efficient, and free from corrupt practices,” Gibran said.
He added that strengthening program governance is also important to maintain public trust while increasing the government’s fiscal capacity.
“This will increase market confidence in the national economy,” he continued.
This government commitment is beginning to be seen in various regions. In Kampar Regency, Riau Province, the development of the Merah Putih Village Cooperative is showing positive progress.
Acting Governor of Riau, SF Hariyanto, said that of the planned target of 250 cooperative units, 73 buildings have been completed.
“Thank God, today we inspected the construction of the Merah Putih Village Cooperative in Kampar Regency. Of the 250 units targeted, 73 have been completed,” he said while inspecting the construction site.
According to SF Hariyanto, this achievement cannot be separated from the support of the Kampar Regency Government, especially in providing land which is an important factor in accelerating development.
He is optimistic that all cooperative development targets in Kampar Regency can be completed this year.
“The target is for all construction to be completed this year. Regarding operations, we are awaiting direction from the central government,” he explained.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Cooperatives, Ferry Juliantono, assessed that cooperatives have a strategic position in supporting sustainable national economic transformation.
According to him, cooperatives are not only drivers of the community economy, but are also able to encourage the development of a green economy that supports the welfare of the people.
“To strengthen this role, the Ministry of Cooperatives is encouraging various cooperative development activities based on renewable energy, so that these instruments of village economic independence can also develop simultaneously,” he said.
Ferry emphasized that economic transformation cannot simply rely on government policies and large businesses, but must also grow from the community level through cooperatives.