President Prabowo Subianto is ready to inaugurate the Koperasi Desa/Kelurahan Merah Putih (Village/Urban Cooperative “Merah Putih”) on July 21, 2025. This initiative is part of the President’s sixth Asta Cita (Visionary Aspiration), aimed at revitalizing local economies and initiating poverty alleviation from the village level.
Head of Presidential Communications, Hasan Nasbi, shared that Kopdes Merah Putih is one of three core strategies introduced under President Prabowo’s administration, known as the “trident of poverty eradication”. These strategies, including the Free Health Check Program in Schools, the People’s School, and the Kopdes Merah Putih, reflect the administration’s dedication to real and measurable welfare improvements beyond symbolic gestures.
The Kopdes Merah Putih program, launched through Presidential Instruction No. 9 of 2025, aims to build the national economy from the village level upward to reduce inequality and liberate communities from poverty. Thirteen ministries, two national agencies, governors, mayors, regents, and village heads are involved in its implementation across Indonesia.
With the goal of eliminating illegal lending operations, predatory lenders, and middlemen exploiting rural economies, the Kopdes Merah Putih program adopts an inclusive, modern, and community-driven approach. By directly purchasing agricultural products from farmers and establishing shorter supply chains, the initiative aims to boost local businesses, improve food security, and reduce prices for consumers.
The development of Kopdes Merah Putih will involve establishing new cooperatives, expanding existing ones, and revitalizing underperforming cooperatives. These cooperatives will provide essential goods, savings and loan units, healthcare services, and storage facilities to strengthen rural economies and reduce poverty. Overall, Kopdes Merah Putih holds the potential to enhance access to key resources and services in rural areas, benefiting local communities and promoting sustainable economic growth.
