Minister Yandri Pushes for Merah Putih Village Cooperatives, Urges Villages to Become Economic Engines
In South Bengkulu, the Minister for Villages and Underdeveloped Regions (Mendes PDT), Yandri Susanto, is encouraging villages to become engines of the economy through the strengthening of Merah Putih Village Cooperatives (Kopdes) and Village-Owned Enterprises (BUM Desa).
This was conveyed during a working visit to the Kedurang and Kedurang Ilir sub-districts in South Bengkulu Regency, in a village development discussion forum with Regency Head Rifai Tajudin, regional agency officials, and village heads, on Thursday night (19/3).
Yandri emphasised that Kopdes Merah Putih is a strategic government instrument in realising economic equity and poverty eradication from the village level.
“Kopdes is a state tool for economic equity as well as poverty eradication. Because the money circulates in the village and the profits return to the village,” said Yandri.
He added that village cooperatives not only create job opportunities but also provide direct economic benefits to community members as participants. In fact, at least 20 percent of the cooperative’s profits will become original village income.
In addition, Yandri brought news regarding the continuation of cooperation with the World Bank, which will provide direct aid support to villages.
“We bring good news regarding the continuation of the cooperation programme with the World Bank. This is a great opportunity that must be prepared thoroughly by village apparatus so that it is on target,” he said.
According to him, village readiness in planning and managing the programme is key to ensuring the aid truly has an impact.
On that occasion, Yandri also emphasised the importance of strengthening BUM Desa as part of the 12 priority actions of the Ministry of Villages PDT. He reminded that BUM Desa should not merely be a formality, but have real business units according to local potentials such as agriculture, tourism, or services.
In response, South Bengkulu Regent Rifai Tajudin expressed the local government’s readiness to escort the policy.
“We thank the presence of the Minister who brings new hope. I instruct all agency heads and village heads to immediately map their respective local potentials,” said Rifai.
He affirmed that the local government will assist in the revitalisation of BUM Desa so that it truly becomes the community’s economic engine.
Rifai also assessed that the synergy between Kopdes Merah Putih and BUM Desa will be key in breaking the chain of middlemen who have long disadvantaged farmers.
The working visit was closed with a joint commitment to strengthen village self-reliance as a pillar of transparent and sustainable regional economy.
Previously, Minister Yandri also handed out packages to village residents and students in the Kedurang area.