President Prabowo Subianto is scheduled to inaugurate the Koperasi Desa/Kelurahan Merah Putih (Village/Urban Cooperative “Merah Putih”) on Monday, July 21, 2025, in Jakarta. This initiative is part of the President’s Asta Cita (Visionary Aspiration) to revitalize local economies and address poverty at the grassroots level.
Hasan Nasbi, Head of Presidential Communications, explained that the Kopdes Merah Putih is a key component of the administration’s strategy to eradicate poverty, known as the “trident of poverty eradication,” which includes health, education, and socio-economic development. These initiatives, such as the Free Health Check Program in Schools, the People’s School, and the Kopdes Merah Putih, aim to bring tangible welfare improvements to the people.
The Kopdes Merah Putih program, launched through Presidential Instruction No. 9 of 2025, focuses on building the national economy from the village level upwards to reduce inequality and uplift communities from poverty. With the involvement of thirteen ministries, two national agencies, governors, mayors, regents, and village heads, the goal is to address the root causes of poverty that hinder access to essential services like education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
Through the establishment of 80,000 Kopdes Merah Putih institutions, with 103 cooperatives as model prototypes set to be launched, the government aims to create a blueprint for success that can be replicated across other villages. These cooperatives, which follow an inclusive and community-driven approach, are expected to enhance rural economies, strengthen food security, and combat predatory lending practices while supporting local businesses and supply chains.
The initiative places a strong emphasis on uplifting farmers by enabling direct purchase of agricultural products, thereby eliminating exploitative middlemen and reducing consumer prices. The program will be developed through strategies such as establishing new cooperatives, expanding existing ones, and revitalizing underperforming ones, with a focus on providing essential goods, financial services, healthcare, and storage facilities for agricultural produce to rural communities.
Ultimately, Kopdes Merah Putih aims to create sustainable economic growth, empower communities, and improve access to vital resources and services in rural areas while paving the way for a more prosperous and inclusive Indonesia.