Government Conducts Oversight to Ensure Sustainability of the Merah Putih Village Cooperative
Jakarta – The government continues to demonstrate its commitment to supporting rural economic empowerment through the Merah Putih Village Cooperative Program (KDMP). To ensure the program’s sustainability and effectiveness, various active oversight measures are being implemented by relevant ministries, ranging from institutional evaluations to technical and managerial assistance.
The Merah Putih Village Cooperative Program is one of President Prabowo Subianto’s strategic initiatives to develop cooperative-based local economic potential in villages. This program not only focuses on increasing the productivity and welfare of village residents but also serves as a driving force for national economic independence from the grassroots level.
Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Bima Arya Sugiarto conducted monitoring and strengthening of the Merah Putih Village Cooperative (KDMP) program in West Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara.
“The visit was to monitor and supervise the progress of the Merah Putih Village Cooperative program. We want everything to run smoothly and optimally,” said Bima Arya.
According to Bima Arya, the Merah Putih Village Cooperative is an economic institution whose members are members of the village or sub-district community, established to improve welfare through the principles of mutual cooperation, kinship, and collective participation.
The initiative to establish a village cooperative aims to improve the economic welfare of village communities through a people-centered economic approach based on the principles of mutual cooperation, kinship, and mutual assistance.
Meanwhile, West Lombok Regent Lalu Ahmad Zaini stated that the visit by Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Bima Arya demonstrates the central government’s support in accelerating the Merah Putih Village Cooperative program.
Regent Zaini hopes the working visit will be the first step in strengthening village cooperative governance, making it more professional and having a direct impact on improving the community’s economy.
“This is certainly a motivation for all of us in developing West Lombok,” said Regent Zaini.
West Nusa Tenggara Province has three pilot villages for the management of the Merah Putih Village Cooperative, one of which is located in Kekeri Village, Gunungsari District, West Lombok Regency.
The Kekeri Village Cooperative has partnered with various state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to procure fertilizer and gas, conduct banking transactions through agents, and manage furniture and chicken farming businesses.
With strict supervision and ongoing support, the Merah Putih Village Cooperative Program is expected to become a pillar of village economic independence and a symbol of the economic revival of Indonesians from rural to urban areas.*
