The Merah Putih Village Cooperatives (Kopdes Merah Putih) are an integral part of President Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cita vision, which focuses on achieving real independence through economic self-sufficiency and fair development. According to Fithra Faisal, a Senior Expert at the Presidential Communication Office (PCO) in Jakarta, the President’s programs are in line with the Asta Cita principles, emphasizing the importance of building economic equity from the grassroots level to eradicate poverty.
President Prabowo highlighted the significance of true independence not only in national symbols but also in the well-being of the people during the launch of over 80,000 Kopdes Merah Putih cooperatives in Bentangan Village, Wonosari District, Klaten Regency, Central Java. He emphasized that cooperatives are a collective effort to improve the quality of life for all individuals.
Kopdes Merah Putih is designed to promote inclusive economic growth, empowering communities from the ground up. By following the philosophy of development as freedom introduced by Nobel laureate Amartya Sen, these cooperatives aim to eliminate “unfreedoms” such as poverty, hunger, and lack of political agency while enhancing human capabilities.
The President’s goal is to strengthen grassroots participation through Kopdes Merah Putih, expecting these cooperatives to stimulate rural economies and enhance the livelihoods of farmers and fishers. By providing storage warehouses, cold storage facilities, and logistics support, these cooperatives enable produce to be preserved longer and sold at a better time, ultimately increasing value and income.
Moreover, Kopdes Merah Putih is anticipated to generate new rural employment opportunities, discouraging youth migration to urban areas. By creating approximately 480,000 direct jobs across Indonesia through 80,000 cooperatives, young individuals have the chance to foster local economies, create new prospects, and contribute to the future development of their villages.
