Co-operatives Minister Checks KDKMP Operations in East Java, Says Rollout Will Be Gradual

Co-operatives Minister Ferry Juliantono visited sites in East Java to monitor the operational readiness of Merah Putih Village/Urban-Ward Co-operatives (KDKMP). The visit followed a KDKMP co-ordination meeting aimed at preparing for operations in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s direction.

“Operations across all KDKMP are now beginning simultaneously and will proceed in stages. Hopefully, this will once again mark the beginning of an era of economic revival in villages. The KDKMP buildings belong to the villages, and their management is made up of village residents; the benefits will return to the community,” the minister said during his visit to operating sites in East Java on Thursday, 15 October 2026.

Also present were Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan, Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf, PT Agrinas Pangan Nusantara president director Joao Angelo De Sousa Mota, PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero) president director Rahmad Pribadi, and local government officials.

In East Java, Ferry visited KDKMP outlets in Sambiroto (Baron), Nglawak (Kertosono), Garu (Baron) and Tambakrejo (Waru). He praised local governments, regents, state-owned enterprise representatives, KDKMP chairs and managers for preparing the co-operatives to operate.

He said supplies of subsidised essentials—including MinyaKita cooking oil, rice distributed under the Food Supply and Price Stabilisation (SPHP) programme, three-kilogram LPG cylinders and fertiliser—had been delivered.

A range of government assistance was also available at outlets already in operation, including non-cash food assistance, direct cash assistance and agricultural machinery. The outlets were equipped with supporting transport, management teams and direct links to the central administration.

“Trials of social assistance distribution have been successful. The four sites I inspected today are also operating and fully equipped. Beneficiaries can now collect their entitlements directly from operating KDKMP outlets, without travelling long distances to bank branches,” he said.

Following the visit, Ferry said he hoped operations would continue smoothly. He said KDKMP was a priority programme intended to help communities move from being assistance recipients to becoming independent business operators in their local areas.