Co-operatives Minister Checks KDKMP Operations in East Java, Says Rollout Will Be Gradual
Co-operatives Minister Ferry Juliantono personally inspected preparations for the operations of Merah Putih Village/Urban-Ward Co-operatives (KDKMP) in East Java. The visit followed a KDKMP co-ordination meeting aimed at finalising the rollout in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s instructions.
“Operations at all KDKMP outlets are now beginning simultaneously and will proceed gradually. Hopefully, this once again marks the start 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 village community,” Ferry said in a written statement on Thursday (15 October 2026).
In East Java, Ferry visited several locations, including KDKMP Sambiroto (Baron), KDKMP Nglawak (Kertosono), KDKMP Garu (Baron) and KDKMP Tambakrejo (Waru). He praised local governments, regents, representatives of state-owned enterprises, KDKMP chairs and managers for their preparations to get the co-operatives operating.
He said subsidised basic goods—including cooking oil (MinyaKita), rice supplied under the Food Supply and Price Stabilisation programme (SPHP), 3kg LPG cylinders and fertiliser—had been distributed.
Various government assistance programmes had also been distributed and were available at operating outlets. These included non-cash food assistance and direct cash assistance, as well as agricultural machinery, supporting transport facilities, management arrangements and direct links to the central government.
“Trials of social assistance distribution have been successful. The four locations I inspected today are also operating and fully equipped. Beneficiaries can now collect their entitlements directly from KDKMP outlets that are in operation, without having to travel long distances to bank branch offices,” he said.
Following his inspection of KDKMP operations in East Java, Ferry said he hoped the rollout would continue smoothly. He said the co-operatives were a priority programme intended to help communities move from being assistance recipients to becoming independent local business operators.
Also speaking, Coordinating Food Affairs Minister Zulkifli Hasan said inspections of KDKMP operations were taking place on a large scale this week at President Prabowo’s direction, with regional leaders and relevant agencies involved across the country.
Zulkifli said ministers, regional military commanders, police chiefs, governors and mayors were going into the field to inspect the co-operatives’ readiness.
“Not everything will be perfect straight away. This is a major undertaking involving several ministries and state-owned enterprises, so it is understandable that there are still shortcomings here and there. But this is the beginning of something new,” he said.
Zulkifli said KDKMP was intended to break distribution chains that had driven up the prices of goods. Fertiliser, LPG and other subsidised products often became more expensive after passing through multiple intermediaries before reaching residents.
“Through KDKMP, distribution goes directly from the source to village outlets, keeping prices in line with government regulations,” he added.
The event was also attended by Coordinating Food Affairs Minister 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.