Dekopin Chief Dismisses 'Outdated' Stigma, Points to Real Madrid's Cooperative Model

The Chairman of the Indonesian Cooperative Council (Dekopin), Bambang Haryadi, has stated that cooperatives are often underestimated. He asserted that it is a grave mistake to consider cooperatives an outdated and minor economic movement.

Bambang made these remarks during a speech at the 79th National Cooperative Day commemoration in Jakarta Arena on Sunday (12/7). He expressed confidence that the cooperative movement will grow stronger under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto.

“And we are confident that under Mr President’s leadership, cooperatives will become one of the main pillars driving the Indonesian people. The stigma that cooperatives are an outdated and minor economic tool is completely irrelevant and a big mistake,” Bambang said.

Bambang highlighted that cooperatives are still a relevant economic system in the modern era. He pointed out that many famous European football clubs are managed using a cooperative system.

“Major clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich are managed under a cooperative system. Even one of the largest banks in the Netherlands, Rabobank, is owned by a cooperative,” he explained.

Bambang also expressed his belief that the cooperative movement will revive under President Prabowo’s administration. He noted that the President’s commitment is evident through concrete programmes, not just rhetoric.

“We are confident that cooperatives will rise again under Mr President’s leadership. The President’s support for the cooperative movement is not just a slogan; it is proven by the establishment of village cooperatives and the ‘Red and White’ sub-district cooperatives,” he stated.

Bambang further praised Prabowo’s long-standing dedication to advancing cooperatives, noting that this commitment predates his presidency. He reminded the audience that the President comes from a family of cooperative figures.

“We have seen Mr President’s struggle for the cooperative movement for a long time, even before he became President. His grandfather and father were also prominent cooperative figures,” he added.