695 Merah Putih Village Cooperatives Now Operational in Banten

The Governor of Banten, Andra Soni, stated that 695 Merah Putih Village Cooperatives (KDMP) are now operational in the province. “Thank God, Banten is also part of the 1,061 KDMPs inaugurated by the President [Prabowo Subianto], and in Banten itself, there are 695 KDMPs that have been operating,” said Andra after attending the simultaneous inauguration of 1,061 Village/Urban Merah Putih Cooperatives (KDKMP) by the President of Indonesia online in Tangerang, Saturday (May 16).

Andra targets that the number of operational KDMPs will continue to increase until August 2026, as directed by President Prabowo Subianto.

Andra also revealed that the total target for KDMPs in Banten is 1,551 cooperative units. Although not all are currently operating, Andra is optimistic that the number of cooperatives operating in Banten will increase this year.

“God willing, with the target set by Mr. President, we will certainly increase the number by August this year,” he explained.

He said that the Banten Provincial Government is committed to increasing the number of outlets by August 2026. Thus, he is optimistic that the target for adding outlets can be achieved in accordance with the direction of the central government.

“The village economy must move. Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes) and Merah Putih Village Cooperatives must be able to drive the economic wheels of the community from below so as to provide a real contribution to the welfare of the community at the regional and national levels,” he said, quoted by Antara.

Meanwhile, the Regent of Tangerang, Moch Maesyal Rasyid, added that out of a total of 274 villages and urban areas in Tangerang Regency, as many as 250 KDMPs have been operating fully, although with existing limitations.

“There are still 24 cooperatives that are currently undergoing intensive coaching by the Cooperative Service. We are targeting that soon all of them can operate independently,” he said.

(dod/har)