Merah Putih Cooperatives Seen as a Solution for Distributing Essential Goods in Villages
The government continues to strengthen the people’s economy through the development of Merah Putih Village/Urban Cooperatives (KDKMP), which were launched nationally by President Prabowo Subianto from Nganjuk Regency, East Java.
In Tasikmalaya Regency, the Merah Putih Village Cooperative (KDMP) in Mangunreja Village, Mangunreja District, is one of the first locations for the national launch. This program is the result of a coordination meeting between various ministries and agencies at the Ministry of Villages, Disadvantaged Regions Development, and Transmigration.
The government targets the completion of 30,000 village and urban cooperatives by August 2026, coinciding with the celebration of Indonesia’s Independence Day. Currently, 7,200 cooperative buildings in various regions have been reported to be 100% complete, with 1,000 of them entering the first phase of launch.
Dandim 0612/Tasikmalaya, Lieutenant Colonel Czi M Imvan Ibrahim, said that the cooperatives built in the Tasikmalaya region are not just physical buildings, but are designed as centers for village community economic activity.
“The facilities are very well prepared, starting with the main building, a proper storage warehouse, business outlets, and operational equipment,” said Imvan Ibrahim on Sunday (17/5).
According to him, the cooperative is designed so that it can immediately serve community transactions from the first day of operation.
“This cooperative can immediately start serving residents from the first day, and the function of the building is designed to be multifunctional and can later be used by the community,” he said.
MOVING QUICKLY
Meanwhile, Deputy Regent of Tasikmalaya, Asep Sopari Al Ayubi, said that the Tasikmalaya Regency Government is moving quickly in supporting the development of KDKMP, including preparing land for the construction of cooperatives. He said that the local government has currently prepared 17 plots of land and 10 of them are already in the construction phase.
According to Asep, the presence of Merah Putih Village/Urban Cooperatives is an important part of strengthening the village community’s economy while also facilitating the distribution of essential goods.
“The Merah Putih Village/Urban Cooperative belongs to the community and its members, not the government, and it is a concrete solution to cut through the complexity of the distribution channels for essential goods needed by residents,” said Asep.
He believes that the presence of these cooperatives can also be an engine for driving the village community’s economy. “It will also be an engine to boost the economy at the grassroots level,” he said.
Asep added that the economic growth of Tasikmalaya Regency is currently at 5.3 percent and is expected to continue to increase along with the presence of this village-based economic empowerment program.
The government hopes that Merah Putih Cooperatives can strengthen the people’s economy, shorten the distribution chain for essential goods, and create new economic centers in rural areas. (E-2)