Interest in Village Cooperative Merah Putih Manager Positions Surges
The selection of candidates for Manager of the Merah Putih Village Cooperative and administrator of the Merah Putih Fishermen’s Village has attracted numerous interested parties. Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan, alias Zulhas, stated that for the 35,476 available positions, the number of applicants has reached 639,732 people.
The opened positions total 35,476, comprising 30,000 cooperative managers and 5,476 Fishermen’s Village administrators. “Until the closure on 25 April 2026, the number of applicants recorded is 639,732 people,” he said during a press conference at the Coordinating Ministry for Food office in Jakarta on Monday, 4 May 2026.
Of that number, 483,648 applicants have submitted complete administrative requirements. Zulhas, who is also the Head of the Task Force for the Formation of Kopdes Merah Putih, stated that the selection has now entered the competency test phase, which will take place from 3 to 12 May 2026.
The competency test is conducted using Computer Assisted Test (CAT) at 72 locations across Indonesia. “Applicants are given the convenience to choose the nearest location to their respective residences,” he said.
The selected applicants will work as contract employees of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN). If they pass the selection, the cooperative managers will work under PT Agrinas Pangan Nusantara. Meanwhile, Fishermen’s Village administrators will become employees of PT Agrinas Jaladri Nusantara. Regarding their status, they are prepared to become contract workers, or employees under Fixed-Term Employment Agreement (PKWT).
This selection is open to diploma or D-III, D-IV, and bachelor’s degree graduates from all majors, with general requirements including a maximum age of 35 years and a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (IPK) of 2.75. The selection mechanism is carried out through the National Selection Committee for Human Resources of the Best Quick Results Programme (PHTC).
The next series of tests that participants will undergo is additional competency selection. This consists of mental tests, ideological mental tests, and health checks, which will take place from 20 to 31 May 2026. The announcement of the final test results is scheduled for 7 June 2026.
Zulhas also guarantees that this test will be objective, transparent, and accountable. As well as free from corruption, collusion, and nepotism. He emphasised that the recruitment incurs no fees whatsoever.