Jakarta – The government continues to demonstrate its commitment to supporting rural economic empowerment through the Merah Putih Village Cooperative Program (KDMP). To ensure the program’s sustainability and effectiveness, active oversight measures are being carried out by the relevant ministries, ranging from institutional evaluations to technical and managerial assistance.
The Merah Putih Village Cooperative Program is one of President Prabowo Subianto’s strategic initiatives to develop local economic potential through village-based cooperatives. This program not only focuses on improving productivity and the welfare of rural residents but also serves as a driving force for national economic self-reliance from the grassroots level.
Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Wamendagri) Bima Arya Sugiarto conducted monitoring and strengthening activities for the Merah Putih Village Cooperative Program (KDMP) in West Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara.
“This visit is part of monitoring and overseeing the progress of the Merah Putih Village Cooperative Program. We want everything to run smoothly and optimally,” said Bima Arya.
According to Bima Arya, the Merah Putih Village Cooperative is an economic institution made up of village or urban village residents, established to improve welfare based on the principles of mutual cooperation, kinship, and collective participation.
The initiative to establish village cooperatives aims to enhance the economic welfare of rural communities through a people-centered economic approach grounded in the principles of mutual cooperation, kinship, and mutual assistance.
Meanwhile, West Lombok Regent Lalu Ahmad Zaini said that the visit of Deputy Minister Bima Arya reflects the central government’s support in accelerating the Merah Putih Village Cooperative Program.
Regent Zaini hopes that the working visit will serve as a starting point to strengthen cooperative governance so that it becomes more professional and has a direct impact on improving the community’s economy.
“This certainly motivates all of us in building West Lombok,” said Regent Zaini.
West Nusa Tenggara Province has three pilot villages for the management of the Merah Putih Village Cooperative, one of which is located in Kekeri Village, Gunungsari District, West Lombok Regency.
The Kekeri Village Cooperative has partnered with various state-owned enterprises (BUMN) for the procurement of fertilizers, gas, banking transactions through agents, as well as managing furniture and poultry farming businesses.
With strict oversight and continuous assistance, the Merah Putih Village Cooperative Program is expected to become a pillar of rural economic independence and a symbol of the revival of the Indonesian people’s economy from villages to cities.