Papua’s Merah Putih Village Cooperative, a Vessel for the Manifestation of the Spirit of Mutual Cooperation
Central Papua – Following the launch of the Merah Putih Village/Sub-district Cooperative as part of the 78th National Cooperative Day commemoration, this program is not merely an economic program, but a tangible symbol of the spirit of mutual cooperation that is at the root of Indonesian culture.
Central Papua Governor, Meki Nawipa, stated that cooperatives play a vital role in building community independence and prosperity. In his remarks, he emphasized that cooperatives are not merely economic institutions, but the foundation of economic democracy based on the principle of togetherness.
“Cooperatives are not just economic institutions, but a manifestation of the spirit of mutual cooperation—from us, by us, and for us. With the principle of one person, one vote, cooperatives reflect economic democracy that gives every member equal rights to determine the direction of their shared future,” Nawipa said.
The Merah Putih Cooperative Program is designed as an integrated center for village economic activities. This cooperative will manage various important sectors, such as the provision of subsidized basic necessities (gas, rice, cooking oil), healthcare services through village clinics and pharmacies, and agricultural logistics through harvest warehouses and distribution facilities. This model is expected to sustainably stimulate the people’s economy from the grassroots level.
Governor Nawipa stated that Central Papua plays a strategic role in achieving the “Golden Indonesia 2045” vision. He reported significant progress in implementing the Red and White Cooperative program in his region. Of the 1,208 villages and sub-districts that have received information, 847 villages/sub-districts (70.1%) have held Village Deliberations (Musyawarah Desa) as a crucial stage, and 581 cooperatives (48.1%) have been officially established and have obtained legal status.
“These figures are concrete evidence of our collective hard work. They are also part of Central Papua’s contribution to the national achievement of more than 80,000 Red and White Cooperatives that have been established through Special Village Deliberations throughout Indonesia,” he emphasized.
The launch event was also attended by the Acting Regional Secretary of Central Papua, the Chairman of the Central Papua People’s Consultative Assembly (MRP), the Regent and Deputy Regent of Nabire, the Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda), and representatives from six other regencies: Dogiyai, Deiyai, Paniai, Intan Jaya, Puncak, and Puncak Jaya. This moment marks a significant milestone in strengthening the people’s economy in Papua through cooperatives, a collective vehicle that upholds the spirit of mutual cooperation.
