Minister of Cooperatives: PKH Recipients Becoming Village Cooperative Members a Strategic Step for Economic Empowerment

The Minister of Cooperatives Ferry Juliantono and Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf attended a collaboration event between Red and White Village Cooperatives with the Family Hope Programme (PKH) KDMP in East Java. Ferry emphasised the importance of transforming beneficiaries into members of the Red and White Village Cooperative.

The event took place in Lekok District, Pasuruan Regency, East Java, on Tuesday, 10 March 2026. In attendance were Deputy Minister of Cooperatives Farida Farichah, East Java Deputy Governor Emil Dardak, Pasuruan Regent M Rusdi Sutejo, Deputy for Talent Development and Cooperative Competitiveness at the Ministry of Cooperatives Destry Anna Sari, and various senior officials from relevant ministries and agencies.

The Minister of Cooperatives emphasised that this transformation is crucial for Family Hope Programme (PKH) beneficiaries. “As a strategic step in economic empowerment of the community,” Ferry stated.

He assessed that with the existence of Gejugjati Merah Putih Village Cooperative, the social protection programme previously conducted by the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) can be continued.

Meanwhile, Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf, also known as Gus Ipul, expressed readiness to encourage 5 million Beneficiary Family recipients (KPM) of the Family Hope Programme (PKH) in East Java to become members of the Red and White Village Cooperative (KDMP) so they can participate in productive economic activities.

“There are 229,000 KPM in Pasuruan and a total of 5 million KPM in East Java will be encouraged to become members of the Red and White Village Cooperative,” said Gus Ipul, in a written statement.

According to him, by becoming KDMP members, KPM will not only serve as buyers but also as owners who can obtain economic benefits from cooperative activities.