The Koperasi Desa/Kelurahan (Village/Urban Village Cooperative) Merah Putih is a key component of President Prabowo Subianto’s efforts to enhance rural economies and uplift communities in villages throughout Indonesia. The initiative, according to Adita Irawati, Senior Advisor at the Presidential Communication Office (PCO), represents a significant milestone in village-based national development. It empowers villagers to take control of their resources and achieve economic independence. By transitioning from reliance on social aid to sustainable economic empowerment, the program aims to bridge the gap and address pressing challenges faced by villages and urban areas nationwide.
President Prabowo inaugurated 80,081 Kopdes Merah Putih cooperatives on July 21, 2025, in a strategic move to establish an economy that is self-sustaining, inclusive, and fair. These cooperatives play a crucial role as outlined in Asta Cita’s third pillar, stimulating rural economic growth by promoting job creation, entrepreneurship, and bolstering local production centers. The focus is on ensuring essential goods like groceries, medicines, and fertilizers are readily accessible to residents at reasonable prices through a transparent distribution system.
The impact of the Kopdes Merah Putih initiative is already apparent in Cileunyi Wetan village, Bandung regency, West Java, where Dedi Nurendi leads the cooperative. Residents no longer have to travel long distances to purchase basic necessities, and individuals are no longer ensnared by informal lenders. Dedi believes that cooperatives are the answer to the community’s economic woes, emphasizing the importance of unity and collaboration in achieving prosperity. Joining forces with cooperatives fosters a sense of mutual support and cooperation among community members.
