Minister Ferry Denies 'Red and White Cooperative' Displaced School in NTT

Cooperatives Minister Ferry Juliantono has addressed allegations that the construction of a Red and White Village/Sub-district Cooperative outlet in Ende Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, had displaced a primary school. The clarification was made during a working meeting with House Commission VI following questions from a lawmaker regarding circulating information about the project in Ende District. Responding to the matter, Ferry asserted the government had conducted an on-site inspection and confirmed no school eviction took place. He stated the confirmation was made on Friday, 5 June 2026, in Neowula Village, Ende Regency, adding that whilst the building process passes by the school, it does not displace it, and the school had actually requested support for repairs. According to Ferry, the land used for the outlet was donated by the community to the Ende Regency government and its use was consulted with the authorities because the site borders the school. He explained that the local government had given the green light for construction, clarifying the building is on land behind the school, not within its compound, and that the village head had relayed the regent’s instruction to proceed. Ferry further noted that a side access route near the school was opened solely to facilitate heavy machinery delivery, as no other road was available. The committee chair was present at the location and assisted with the work. The Cooperatives Ministry affirmed that the issue of school eviction by the cooperative’s development does not match the facts on the ground.