Cooperatives Minister: Cooperatives Are Not Merely Business Entities, but an Economic Idea of Mutual Cooperation
Cooperatives Minister Ferry Juliantono has stated that cooperatives are not merely ordinary business entities. He stressed that cooperatives represent a concrete manifestation of an economic idea built on the foundations of togetherness and mutual cooperation.
Ferry made the remarks at the 2026 Cooperatives Awards held at the St Regis Hotel, South Jakarta, on Thursday evening (20/8/2026). The event was also attended by the family of Indonesia’s first Vice President, Mohammad Hatta.
Ferry said the presence of Bung Hatta’s family carried deep meaning for the cooperative community. He recalled the basic philosophy of cooperatives laid down by the Father of Indonesian Cooperatives.
“This reminds us of one important thing: that cooperatives are indeed not merely business entities, but an idea about how the economy is built through togetherness and mutual cooperation to improve the welfare of members and provide benefits to society,” Ferry said in his address.
According to Ferry, these values remain relevant today. Through the 2026 Cooperatives Awards, his ministry gave appreciation to cooperative members who have shown dedication and innovation amid a constantly changing world.
“And this award is not merely about who receives the award, but also recognition of those who consistently work and, of course, continue the ideals of Bung Hatta,” he added.
Ferry explained that the Ministry of Cooperatives currently bears a major responsibility in nurturing around 130,000 existing cooperatives. He encouraged cooperatives to become a tool for consolidating the potential of society, in line with the priority programmes of President Prabowo Subianto.
“We want cooperatives to be present close to the community and also become a tool for consolidating the potential of society, including through the programme of the President, which is a national priority programme, namely the Red and White Village/Sub-district Cooperatives,” he said.
Ferry stated that the benchmark for cooperative success in the future should no longer be measured solely from an administrative perspective or the size of the organisation, but rather from the tangible impact felt by society.
“I want the success of cooperatives to no longer be measured only by how large the organisation is, but also by its benefits to society. And that is where the spirit of Bung Hatta finds its relevance again today,” Ferry said.
He therefore called on the entire cooperative movement in the country to modernise so that it can compete and make a significant contribution to the national economy alongside state-owned enterprises and the private sector.
“To the entire cooperative movement in Indonesia, let us continue this journey with real work and strengthen and modernise cooperatives in Indonesia,” Ferry said.
“Let us continue the great ideals of Bung Hatta and the nation’s founders, strengthen the cooperative movement in Indonesia, and realise cooperatives that are healthy, independent, professional, and capable of delivering tangible benefits to society,” he concluded.
The event was also attended by a number of figures, including Founder and Chairman of CT Corp Chairul Tanjung, Minister of Law Supartman Andi Agtas, Deputy Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces General Tandyo Budi Revita, and Chairman of Committee IV of the Regional Representative Council AA Ahmad Nawardi.
Also present were Deputy Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Admiral (Ret.) Didit Herdiawan and Junior Attorney General for Intelligence Reda Manthovani.