Cooperative Minister: Merah Putih Village Cooperatives to Begin 'Soft Launch' in October
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Minister of Cooperatives, Ferry Juliantono, stated that the operational soft launch of the Merah Putih Village/Sub-district Cooperatives (KDKMP) will commence in October 2026.
During the second National Conference on People’s Plantations in Jakarta on Monday, Ferry noted that KDKMP operations can begin once the Presidential Regulation concerning the Operational Governance of KDKMP has been signed by the President. However, he did not specify the exact number of KDKMPs included in the October soft launch.
In addition to regulation, operational preparations also include the placement of managers. The Minister stated that recruited managers who have undergone training have already received their appointment decrees (SK), which include the determination of salaries and allowances.
“The managers are now prepared for distribution. And perhaps this October, the soft launch for operations will already have begun,” he said.
The trained managers will be stationed at KDKMPs that have completed the physical construction of warehouses and outlets and possess all necessary equipment. Ferry mentioned that approximately 23,000 KDKMP buildings have reached 100 per cent completion.
Of that number, around 17,000 KDKMPs are currently undergoing a verification and validation (verval) process before being handed over to the villages for operation.
Ferry previously stated that 17,288 KDKMPs with completed physical buildings are targeted to begin operations by late September or early October 2026.
In a working meeting with Commission VI of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) in Jakarta on Thursday (17/9), Ferry noted that these 17,288 KDKMPs possess warehouses, outlets, and other essential facilities, according to data from PT Agrinas Pangan Nusantara provided to the Ministry of Cooperatives. Following this, the cooperatives will undergo verification, review, and handover processes before proceeding to the manager placement stage and the commencement of KDKMP operations.