Cooperatives Minister to convene KDKMP board to identify operational issues

Minister of Cooperatives Ferry Juliantono has stated that the Ministry of Cooperatives, together with relevant ministries and agencies, will immediately convene the managers and supervisors of the Merah Putih Village/Sub-district Cooperatives (KDKMP) from various regions to identify operational issues as material for improving the programme’s implementation. “We will soon hold a meeting and gathering with the supervisors and managers to obtain input, so that preparations for the operationalisation of KDKMP can be more mature,” Ferry said at the Indonesian Village Organisation Forum with 10 Village Associations in Jakarta on Thursday, as quoted from a press statement. According to the Minister, the forum is necessary so that the government can obtain direct input from KDKMP managers and supervisors, allowing the solutions prepared to be tailored to conditions in each region. He also expressed readiness to inventory various issues faced by villages and sub-districts in preparing for the operationalisation of KDKMP together with village associations across Indonesia. “Through this national seminar, we are deliberating so that preparations for the operationalisation of KDKMP can run well. This event is held so that we, the managers, supervisors, and all parties, can sit together to find the best solution,” he said. Ferry emphasised that the government is committed to finding a middle ground for various emerging issues through dialogue and discussion with stakeholders. In addition to maturing KDKMP operations, Ferry mentioned that the government is also preparing a new Cooperatives Law as a legal umbrella for cooperatives, including KDKMP. According to him, the new Cooperatives Law will regulate various matters, including a deposit insurance institution that will protect cooperative members’ funds. On the same occasion, Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan said the government continues to strengthen the role of KDKMP as a driver of the village economy. According to him, following President Prabowo Subianto’s directives, KDKMP will become the main infrastructure for distributing various subsidised goods to the public. “KDKMP will ensure that outlets are immediately stocked with subsidised goods for the community,” Zulhas said. Meanwhile, Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions Yandri Susanto said his ministry will continue to assist villages in optimising economic potential through KDKMP so that the benefits can be directly felt by the village community.