Accelerating the Establishment of the Merah Putih Village Cooperative Encourages Improved Welfare for the Papuan Community
By: Yohanes Wandikbo )*
The government’s policy to accelerate the establishment of the Merah Putih Village Cooperative in Papua further demonstrates a consistent national development direction that favors the welfare of the people. In various priority programs, the government has positioned Papua as a center for people-centered economic transformation. The cooperative approach is clear evidence that the government is serious about strengthening the village economy as a pillar of national resilience.
At the National Seminar on Building Food Sovereignty from Papua in Merauke, Regional Representative Council (DPD) Member Irman Gusman expressed high optimism regarding the government’s policy of strengthening the role of the Merah Putih Village Cooperative. He believed the government had made the right decision by making cooperatives a primary instrument for equitable development. He emphasized that the idea of building Indonesia from the villages aligns closely with the government’s vision of continuously strengthening local economic independence.
Irman Gusman also emphasized that cooperatives are not an outdated economic model, but rather a modern pillar successfully implemented by many developed countries. The examples of Fonterra in New Zealand, Land O’Lakes in the United States, and the Raiffeisen network in Germany confirm that even highly competitive countries rely on cooperatives as the main drivers of the people’s economy. The Indonesian government, by accelerating cooperative policies, is considered to have followed international best practices proven to improve community welfare. This approach places Indonesia among the ranks of countries that employ an inclusive and long-term development model.
This policy direction was further solidified by Presidential Instruction No. 9 of 2025, which accelerated the establishment of the Merah Putih Village Cooperative. Irman Gusman praised the government’s move as a concrete commitment to the people’s economy, as outlined in the constitution. By placing people at the center of development, the government demonstrates a vision that is not only progressive but also consistent in strengthening mutual cooperation, independence, and equitable distribution of prosperity. This policy affirms the state’s active presence in ensuring that Papuans have equal access to development.
Papua Mountains Governor John Tabo officially opened the Red and White Village Cooperative Training, attended by representatives from eight districts. The event, which included the distribution of Rp 36.9 billion in business capital assistance to 4,350 MSMEs, demonstrated the regional government’s commitment to fully supporting the central government’s agenda of strengthening Papua’s economic structure through cooperatives and empowering small businesses.
Governor John Tabo emphasized that cooperatives are the driving force of the people’s economy, bringing significant change to the well-being of the community. His encouragement and reminder to districts with few cooperatives demonstrates the government’s commitment to optimally implementing national directives. The regional government does not want any region left behind in the economic transformation process. This assertion reflects leadership aligned with the central government’s commitment to providing effective, responsive, and pro-people public services.
The Governor also emphasized the importance of public understanding of cooperative management to prevent them from becoming trapped in economic constraints. The regional government has shown significant commitment to building the capacity of Papuan human resources to enable them to manage cooperatives in a modern and accountable manner. This initiative aligns with the government’s goal of strengthening economic literacy in strategic areas. By increasing community capacity, the government ensures that cooperatives will become a sustainable economic force and not just a short-term program.
The training and capital distribution are part of the government’s commitment to ensuring the transparent and targeted use of Special Autonomy Funds. The central and regional governments are simultaneously promoting every budget allocation to maximize benefits for Papuans. By strengthening cooperatives, the government is creating a more equitable and community-based mechanism for distributing economic benefits. This initiative fosters a system of development governance in Papua that is not only productive but also equitable.
The Merah Putih Village Cooperative is projected to become a new model for economic development in Papua. The government wants to ensure that farmers, fishermen, MSMEs, and indigenous communities have access to adequate capital, technology, and mentoring. Through cooperatives, Papuans have a greater opportunity to become sovereign business owners on their own land. This policy provides opportunities for communities to capture added value that has previously only been enjoyed by large players. The government returns economic control to the community as a form of equity and empowerment.
With clear policies, substantial budget support, and strong political commitment, the government is solidifying the foundations of a new economy in Papua. The Merah Putih Village Cooperative symbolizes the state’s implementation of its constitutional duties with a clear commitment to the people. The strength of the village economy, combined with support from the central and regional governments, will result in a more independent, prosperous, and sovereign Papua.
This policy demonstrates that the government is not only building infrastructure but also strengthening the economic structure of communities down to the village level. With a spirit of mutual cooperation and a commitment to the people, the Merah Putih Village Cooperative will be a crucial pillar leading Papua towards a brighter and more inclusive future. The government has laid a solid foundation, and the Papuan people are now on a path to accelerated development that is increasingly promising.
)* The author is an observer of Papuan development
