Jakarta – Several parties are encouraging the strengthening of cross-sector collaboration in the development of the Merah Putih Village Cooperative as a strategic instrument for strengthening the people’s economy at the village level. This cooperative is seen not only as a platform for joint ventures but also as a center for inclusive and sustainable community-based economic growth.
Farida Farichah, Deputy Minister of Cooperatives of the Republic of Indonesia and Secretary of the Central Leadership (PP) of Fatayat Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), emphasized the important role of village women in the management of the Merah Putih Village Cooperative. She stated that women’s active and strategic involvement will be key to creating a professional, transparent, and competitive cooperative.
Farida emphasized that the government under President Prabowo Subianto, through the Ministry of Cooperatives, is currently strengthening the presence of the Merah Putih Village Cooperative in all villages across Indonesia. This strengthening is being done in an effort to make cooperatives the backbone of the rural economy.
“Each village will have a professionally managed Red and White Village Cooperative. It will have complete facilities, including a cooperative building, grocery stores like minimarkets, clinics and medical facilities, a sales area for MSME products, and even a storage warehouse,” explained Farida.
He added that the cooperative was designed as a village economic center open to all residents without exception. With its collaborative concept, the cooperative is expected to be able to meet the community’s various needs while creating added value for local village products.
According to Farida, professional and collaborative cooperative management will foster community trust. This will also open up greater opportunities for village women to contribute to economic development, whether as managers, entrepreneurs, or decision-makers.
Support for strengthening the Merah Putih Village Cooperative also comes from the local government. The East Kalimantan Provincial Government has affirmed its commitment to building an inclusive and sustainable people’s economy by strengthening cooperatives, MSMEs, and expanding market access as part of its economic equality agenda.
Strengthening the village and sub-district economy in East Kalimantan is being realized through the establishment of 1,037 Red and White Village Cooperatives. These cooperatives are positioned as the primary driving force of a people’s economy based on togetherness and independence.
East Kalimantan Governor Rudy Mas’ud emphasized the strategic value of cooperatives in building community economic sovereignty. “We believe that cooperatives are essentially nationalistic, grounded in the spirit of Pancasila, and are a tool for the people’s economic struggle,” he said.
With synergy between the central government and local governments, along with active community participation, the Merah Putih Village Cooperative is expected to become a strong foundation for realizing village economic independence and strengthening national economic resilience. (*)