Managers of Merah Putih Cooperatives Must Have SOPs
Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) for Cooperatives, Agung Sujatmiko, stated that the programme for placing managers in Merah Putih Cooperatives will be greatly determined by the clarity of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and measurable performance indicators. He assessed that the government needs to ensure detailed guidelines on the duties, functions, and roles of the managers placed in each cooperative.
“The role of the placed manager must be clear, including their status and position in the cooperative,” said Agung, as quoted from Antara on Saturday, 18 April 2026. He said that such clarity is important because managers do not only carry out the cooperative’s operational functions but also bring the government’s mandate through the implemented programme.
According to him, the manager’s role must encompass carrying out tasks from the government while also being part of strengthening cooperatives at the village level. In addition to SOPs, Agung emphasised the importance of performance indicators as an evaluation tool during the assignment period.
He assessed that these indicators must be able to measure how much the manager contributes to the development of the cooperative, not just carrying out administrative functions. “The tasks of the placed manager are to make the Merah Putih Cooperative an aggregator and consolidator of the economy, not just an administrative employee,” said Agung.
Furthermore, he assessed that managers must also be required to have innovative capabilities in developing village economic potential, including processing agricultural products or local commodities to add value.
He stated that strengthening the distribution system is also an important part so that village products can reach wider markets, both at the provincial, national, and export levels. Agung added that if the clarity of SOPs and performance indicators is available, the success of the programme next depends on the government’s commitment to conducting evaluations and assistance.
The government is opening recruitment for 30,000 positions as managers of Merah Putih Village Cooperatives with the registration period from 15-24 April 2026. Those who pass the selection will work under the state-owned enterprise PT Agrinas Pangan Nusantara with a Fixed-Term Employment Agreement (PKWT) for two years. The placement of these managers aims to ensure that cooperatives can be managed in a modern and professional manner.