Fadli Zon: Kopdes Merah Putih Embodies Gotong Royong Culture

Culture Minister Fadli Zon has stated that the Kopdes Merah Putih (Red and White Village Cooperative) programme is a manifestation of the gotong royong (mutual cooperation) culture of Indonesian society, aimed at improving public welfare through strengthening the village economy. Fadli Zon said cooperatives are part of Indonesian culture, which prioritises the spirit of mutual assistance and gotong royong. “Because capitalism and liberalism do not like cooperatives. They believe in survival of the fittest. So only a few people profit. Meanwhile, in a cooperative, it is the members who benefit,” he said during a discussion at the Ministry of Culture building in Jakarta on Wednesday. According to him, the Kopdes Merah Putih programme being implemented by President Prabowo Subianto is a realisation of that culture, as the cooperative is owned by the village and directed at improving public welfare. “So even if it is located on a mountain, if subsidised goods are needed, they will come. If the village is on a mountain, the cooperative will certainly be on the mountain too,” he remarked. He said village cooperatives are expected to function as distribution centres for various subsidised necessities, such as 3-kilogramme LPG canisters and fertiliser, so that distribution is more targeted. “Because if farmers, fishermen, and labourers achieve prosperity, then Indonesia will be prosperous. They are the majority,” he said. “But that trading house will determine it, that is the ideal. I think we are heading towards that process, but it may not be easy,” he added.