Minister Claims Fewer Than 10 'Red and White' Cooperative Sites Are in Unsuitable Locations

Minister of Cooperatives Ferry Juliantono has claimed that fewer than 10 out of 30,000 planned Koperasi Desa/Kelurahan Merah Putih (Red and White Village Cooperatives) are in unsuitable locations, following a social media uproar over sites situated far from residential areas, including some in forests and on hilltops. Ferry stated that the government will verify and validate the points being widely discussed online, noting that the number is very small compared to the overall project. He explained that of the total 30,000 cooperative sites, 23,000 are currently under construction, while 14,000 have been fully completed. The minister emphasised that the location of each cooperative was determined through consultation between the village community and the village head. He said the government will seek solutions together with local residents if a location is deemed unsuitable, but did not confirm whether the cooperatives would be relocated, pending a verification process involving government and related institutions before further discussion with the village community and leadership.