Inaugurated by Prabowo, Kopdes in Kupang Still Relies on Personal Funds

The Merah Putih Village Cooperative (Kopdes) in East Penfui Village, Kupang Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), is still using personal funds for business development to this day.

The cooperative was inaugurated by President Prabowo Subianto in April 2025. However, it has yet to receive government support for business capital development.

Chairman of Kopdes Merah Putih Penfui Timur, Gesti Sino, stated that the cooperative she leads requires government support for operational costs and business capital development.

“We need government support for operational costs and business capital development, so that the kopdes can develop even better,” said Gesti Sino on Thursday (9/4/2026).

According to Gesti, Kopdes Merah Putih Penfui Timur already possesses several assets, such as a pickup truck, a dump truck, and a Viar motorcycle. Nevertheless, they still require support for business development.

“We no longer need vehicles. But we need support for operational costs and business capital development,” she added.

Additionally, they have attempted to apply for credit from several institutions. However, these efforts have not yet yielded results.

“We have tried applying for credit to Danatara and LPDP (Lembaga Penjamin Modal Bergulir). But that requires personal collateral, so we don’t dare,” she added.

Gesti mentioned that, as a model Kopdes in eastern Indonesia and sequentially numbered across Indonesia, they hope to receive government attention.

“If we are still at zero rupiah to this day, with no budget assistance from the government,” she said.

She hopes the government can see the potential of Kopdes Merah Putih Penfui Timur and provide the necessary support so that economic circulation at the village level runs well.

“We hope the government can see which cooperatives are running their business chains without financing and provide the needed support,” she explained.

Gesti emphasised that the government should support Kopdes Merah Putih, which, despite not yet receiving a budget, has already been running its business.

“The government should first look at Kopdes whose business is already running without a government budget. What are the obstacles and needs so that the wheels of the economy and UMKM at the village level can run well, not leave us to go it alone,” she asserted.