Cooperative Minister Confident that Red and White Village Cooperative Will Become New Economic Ecosystem in NTT
Indonesian Cooperative Minister (Menkop) Ferry Juliantono, accompanied by East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Governor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena, inspected and held discussions with the management and members of the Red and White Village Cooperative (KKMP) Manulai II in Kupang.
During the discussion, Ferry stated that cooperatives serve as instruments of struggle for weak economies, while also acting as a means of community empowerment to grow more independently and competitively.
With the presence of KKMP Manulai II, Ferry emphasised that a new strength will emerge. He is confident that the cooperative will develop in the coming years, starting with selling simple goods.
“But what is more important is our spirit, our enthusiasm, and I am confident with the spirit of Mr. Chairman of KKMP Manulai II Roby Dami, that the increasingly improved physical infrastructure will accompany the enthusiasm to build the cooperative as a community-owned business entity. It can develop into a new economic force for the community,” said Ferry, in a written statement on Saturday (25/4/2026).
Furthermore, KKMP Manulai will later be equipped with trading goods, and its financing can be assisted by the Cooperative Revolving Fund Management Agency (LPDB).
Ferry further explained that Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has expressed his desire for the national strategic programme, the Red and White Village/Urban Cooperative (KDKMP), to serve as an instrument to make the community not just recipients of benefits, but also active business actors.
Meanwhile, NTT Governor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena added, as Ferry mentioned, that the role of cooperatives is no longer just about savings and loans.
According to Emanuel, there must be collaborative work. He added that his side is ready to collaborate and become part of driving and growing the KDKMP.
“So, we now live in an era where we must support and back each other. That means we should not just focus on production alone,” said Emanuel.
“But up to downstream processes, distribution, marketing, and even industry. We can play in all those areas,” he continued.
Meanwhile, Chairman of KKMP Manulai II Roby Dami explained that his side has already dared to produce authentic local NTT products.
“As we can see here, there is already a basic necessities outlet. This is the result of cooperation with various parties,” said Roby.
“This is an authentic NTT product in line with the directives from the Governor and Deputy Governor of NTT. Next, there is also rice that is authentically from NTT,” he added.
For information, the event was also attended by NTT Deputy Governor Johni Asadoma, Head of the NTT Cooperative Office (Kadiskop) Linus Lusi, Chairman of KKMP Manulai II Roby Dami, Special Staff to the Minister for Harmonisation and Collaboration of the Cooperative Ecosystem Wahyono, Director of Business LPDB Cooperative Oetje Koesoema Prasetia, and several other invited guests.