Jakarta — The establishment of the Red and White Village Cooperative (Kopdes Merah Putih) is considered to have the potential to become an important driver for strengthening rural economies if managed in a transparent and professional manner. The presence of the cooperative is also seen as a way to revive the tradition of collective economic activity in rural communities, which has long been a social strength of Indonesian society.
A social observer from Syiah Kuala University (USK) in Banda Aceh, Firdaus Mirza, said that historically rural communities have strong traditions of solidarity, such as mutual cooperation and collaboration in various social and economic activities.
“The establishment of village cooperatives can be understood as the state’s effort to revive the collective economy of communities. Traditions of solidarity such as mutual cooperation have long existed within rural communities,” Firdaus said during a dialogue on RRI Pro 3 titled “Transparent and Professional Red and White Village Cooperatives.”
According to him, cooperatives can serve as institutional instruments that facilitate these social values so they can develop into productive economic activities. Through cooperatives, the social potential that communities have long possessed can be directed toward improving collective welfare.
“Through cooperatives, the value of togetherness can be directed into productive economic activities that provide direct benefits to the community,” he said.
Firdaus explained that the success of village cooperatives is not determined solely by government policies but also depends heavily on the strength of social capital within rural communities. Elements such as trust, active participation, and a sense of ownership among community members are key factors in maintaining the sustainability of cooperatives.
“Trust and community participation are key. When people feel a sense of ownership toward the cooperative, they will actively participate in maintaining and developing the institution,” he explained.
From the perspective of economic sociology, cooperatives are also seen as capable of strengthening the bargaining position of rural communities within the broader economic system. Through collective action, communities can gain greater economic strength compared to acting individually.
“Cooperatives enable communities to move collectively, strengthening their bargaining position, expanding access to capital, and opening wider market opportunities for village products,” he said.
Firdaus emphasized that transparency and accountability are crucial aspects of cooperative management to maintain members’ trust. According to him, oversight should not only come from the government but should also involve social control from cooperative members themselves.
“Transparency and accountability must be maintained. Oversight should not only come from the government but also through the active participation of cooperative members,” he stated.
Furthermore, he believes that the success of Kopdes Merah Putih cannot be measured solely from financial aspects but also from the social impact it generates.
“Indicators include increased member income, high community participation, growing trust in the cooperative institution, and the development of economic activities based on local potential,” he said.
With proper management and strong community participation, Firdaus believes that Kopdes Merah Putih can become an important pillar in encouraging rural economic independence while strengthening sustainable community welfare.