Merah Putih Export Cooperative Inaugurated, MES Central Java Urged to Scale Up
The Minister of Cooperatives and Daily Chairman of the Indonesian Sharia Economic Community (MES), Ferry Juliantono, has emphasised his commitment to strengthening the Sharia economy in Central Java. This step is being realised through the empowerment of cooperatives, MSMEs, the halal industry, and the expansion of access to global markets.
He expressed this commitment today while attending the inauguration of the MES Central Java Regional Board in Semarang. Furthermore, Ferry stated that Central Java possesses significant economic potential across various sectors, ranging from agriculture, plantations, and fisheries to processing industries, MSMEs, and the creative economy.
Sharia economic potential needs to be consolidated to create added value and penetrate wider markets, including international ones. MES plays a vital role in driving this potential, acting as a bridge that connects various regional economic potentials with various stakeholders.
“We at MES have a shared commitment to supporting the development of the Sharia economy in Central Java. Especially since our efforts have received a positive response from the Central Java Provincial Government and the General Chairman of MES, Mr Rosan Roeslani, we will develop MES and the Sharia economy in Central Java,” Ferry stated in a written release on Friday (2/10/2026).
He assessed that increasing product capacity as well as expanding access to financing and markets remain the primary challenges in efforts to drive economic growth. In this context, he appreciated the presence of the Merah Putih Export Cooperative as a breakthrough to encourage cooperatives to ‘move up a class’.
The presence of cooperatives is seen as capable of gathering and strengthening various community commodity products. This is essential to ensure that all local products meet quality standards, supply continuity, and international market requirements.
“From a Sharia economic perspective, the spirit of cooperatives aligns with the values of togetherness, partnership, justice, and utility,” said Ferry.
On this occasion, Ferry also commended the inauguration of the MES officials in Central Java. He expressed hope that this inauguration would strengthen their role in developing the economy in the region, specifically in Central Java.
According to him, the Sharia economy is not merely about transactions that comply with Sharia principles, but also about how economic activities can create added value, expand business opportunities, and promote more equitable welfare.
“This is where I hope MES Central Java can take an increasingly tangible role. The Merah Prime Export Cooperative, which was inaugurated today, can serve as a concrete space for MES to translate the spirit of the Sharia economy into economic activities,” he said.
Meanwhile, the General Chairman of the MES Central Board, Rosan Perkasa Roeslani, stated that 85 per cent of Indonesia’s population is Muslim. However, the practice and realisation of the Sharia economy in society are not yet optimal, necessitating a push so that Sharia economic principles are internalised in daily life.
“Therefore, the existence of MES is expected to serve as a link between the government, academics, the business world, and other relevant stakeholders. If we can synergise, the benefits felt by the community will be greater,” said Rosan.
The Governor of Central Java, Ahmad Luthfi, encouraged the MES Central Java officials to optimise local potential, including the development of Muslim-friendly tourism, such as in Demak and the Keraton. He also requested the officials to collaborate with stakeholders so that the MES Central Java programme can become a barometer at the national level.
Also present at the event were the General Chairman of the MES Central Board Rosan Perkasa Roeslani, the Governor of Central Java Ahmad Luthfi, who also serves as the Chairman of the MES Central Java Advisory Board, the Director of Sharia Financing of LPDB Koperasi Ari Permana, the MES Jawa Balinusra Regional Coordinator Kukrit Suryo Wicaksono, and the General Chairman of the MES Central Java Regional Board Reza Arif Budi Artha.