Government to Distribute Social Assistance via Village Cooperatives Starting September 2026

Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan has announced that all social assistance (bansos) and government subsidies will be channelled through the Koperasi Desa Merah Putih (Red and White Village Cooperatives). The statement was made following a limited cabinet meeting led by President Prabowo Subianto at the Presidential Palace complex in Central Jakarta on Thursday, 23 July 2026. “All government infrastructure, namely subsidised goods and government assistance, will all be distributed through the Koperasi Desa Merah Putih or Koperasi Kelurahan Merah Putih,” Zulkifli told reporters. He explained that the distribution would be centralised within the Kopdes Merah Putih, whereas previously, government aid including social assistance was distributed through government offices. “It will be separate, at the Kopdes,” he clarified. Zulhas stated that the distribution of social assistance and government aid through the village cooperatives is scheduled to commence in September 2026. “We estimate operations will begin in September,” he said.