Ministry Projects Islamic Boarding School Cooperatives as New Source of Economic Strength
The Indonesian Ministry of Cooperatives (Kemenkop) has guaranteed its support for the development of Islamic boarding school cooperatives (Kopontrium/Kopontren) across Indonesia. For the Ministry, Kopontren holds immense potential for growth and is projected to become a new source of economic strength in the future.
Minister of Cooperatives Ferry Juliantono explained that the development of Kopontren in Indonesia is currently progressing rapidly. As of December 2025, there are approximately 763 Kopontren with a business volume of Rp 3.5 trillion and 156,000 members. Some Kopontren even possess assets exceeding Rp 1 trillion.
“I believe that in the coming years, the assets and business volume of Islamic boarding school cooperatives will grow even larger. God willing, Islamic boarding school cooperatives will become a new economic force in this country,” said Ferry in a written statement on Saturday (27/6/2026).
He made these remarks during his keynote address at the 2026 National Seminar of the Indonesian Da’wah Boarding School Council (MPDI) at the Daarul Ukhuwah Boarding School in Malang, on Saturday (27/6).
To support the development of Kopontren, Ferry invited the MPDI to participate in efforts to strengthen the cooperative network, including in the areas of education development, missionary cadre formation, and economic empowerment.
“MPDI holds an important position as a platform for collaboration. Through its network, MPﻠDI can strengthen the exchange of experience and cooperation between boarding school cooperatives so that they grow to be healthier, more professional, and sustainable,” said the Minister.
As part of the government’s cooperative transformation efforts, the Red and White Village/Sub-district Cooperative (KDKMP) programme has been introduced. The KDKMP is set to serve as the best partner for Kopontren and MSMEs to market their superior products.
“Our main priority is products from local MSMEs, particularly those from boarding schools. We will ensure that boarding school products are a priority in KDKMP outlets,” he emphasised.
The Ministry of Cooperatives, alongside the Fund Management Agency for Business Rotation (LPDB), is also committed to ensuring that Kopontren remains competitive. This support is specifically directed towards the newly launched MPDI secondary cooperative.
The existence of the MPDI secondary cooperative is believed to function as a means to sustain and develop the primary cooperatives under its umbrella.
“I invite all parties through this forum to use this momentum to strengthen synergy and formulate concrete steps in developing healthy, professional, innovative, and competitive boarding school cooperatives,” said Ferry.
MPDI General Chairman Ayi Abdul Rosyid emphasised his high commitment to making boarding schools the main hub for addressing economic issues within society. Consequently, the MPDI has recently launched a secondary cooperative as a major medium for economic development within the boarding school ecosystem.
“We hope this cooperative will serve as a platform connecting the strength of boarding schools from Sabang to Merauke with the spirit of mutual assistance, cooperation, and the economic empowerment of the community (ummah),” he said.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Speaker of the MPR RI, Hidayat Nur Wahid, expressed his support for the initiatives and enthusiasm of the MPDI across Indonesia to support the development of the community’s economy, particularly through cooperatives.
From the regional government, the Deputy Governor of East Java, Emil Elestianto Dardak, highlighted the importance of the spirit of mutual cooperation in building the boarding school economy. According to Emil, the most viable solution for the economic development of boarding schools is the Kopontren.
“With the MPDI secondary cooperative, there is already a sense of togetherness among its members. The principle is based on kinship,” said Emil.
“We are very enthusiastic to see boarding schools growing rapidly, and we hope East Java will play an important role in driving the success of the MPDI,” he added.