Tuban’s Merah Putih Village Cooperative Becomes New Economic Hope, Closure Rumors Mere Provocation

EAST JAVA — The Merah Putih Village/Sub-district Cooperative (Kopdes) in Pucangan Village, Montong District, Tuban Regency, East Java, has resumed operations after rumors of its closure sparked public outcry.

Recent evidence reveals that the issue of the cooperative’s closure was simply a misunderstanding fueled by the vested interests of a select few.

It stemmed from a miscommunication between the partners and the local village government.

The Head of Pucangan Village, Santiko, apologized for the controversy.

He admitted he was nervous when speaking before President Prabowo Subianto at the lively inauguration of the Merah Putih Village Cooperative.

“I was just saying something spontaneous, and I apologize if anything was inappropriate,” he said.

The Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan, also clarified the issue.

According to him, the problem was solely the result of a miscommunication between the Village Head and PT Perekonomian Pondok Pesantren Sunan Drajat (PPSD), a partner.

“It’s resolved, it was just a misunderstanding. Maybe the Village Head was nervous,” Zulhas said.

He confirmed that Kopdes Merah Putih Tuban has returned to normal operations after smooth communication between the parties.

“The owner of the boarding school is my friend, and it’s resolved. It’s open again,” he emphasized after the meeting in Jakarta.

The Director of PT PPSD and the cooperative partners consider the incident a valuable lesson for building a more solid collaboration going forward.

They hope that communication between the parties can improve to prevent further misunderstandings that could lead to business closures.

Kopdes Merah Putih is believed to be an example of collaboration and collective awareness among cooperatives in Indonesia.

Ahmad Najib Qodratullah, a member of Commission XI of the House of Representatives (DPR), views Kopdes Merah Putih as a new hope for the rural economy.

“The Red and White Village Cooperative is not only a new hope for the economic system for rural communities, but also an alternative for them,” he said.

According to him, the cooperative will streamline the distribution channels for basic necessities, making prices more affordable, while also strengthening village logistics independence through the development of warehouses, transportation fleets, and efficient information systems.

Najib emphasized that although challenges of professionalism and oligopoly dominance remain, the Red and White Village Cooperative is a solution to the rural trade deadlock if implemented according to its original concept.

“Let’s all support the Red and White Village Cooperative together,” he said. (*)