Prabowo: Free Nutrition Programme and Red and White Cooperatives to Boost Grassroots Economy
Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto stated that the Free Nutrition Programme (MBG) and the Red and White Village/Urban Cooperatives (KDKMP) will boost the grassroots economy and strengthen economic growth in villages.
“Brothers and sisters, the MBG combined with the Red and White Village Cooperatives will boost our economy. I think honestly, village heads and regents have started to feel it. In the future, they will feel it even more,” said Prabowo in his speech at the inauguration of the operationalisation of 1,061 KDKMPs in Nganjuk, East Java, Saturday.
Prabowo acknowledged that there are still various challenges in the implementation of the programme, especially the MBG.
The President said that the government would take action against those who violate, deviate, or misuse their authority in the implementation of the programme.
The President said that the government would not hesitate to remove officials who are proven to have committed violations or do not have integrity in managing government programmes.
“My government will not hesitate. Whoever violates, deviates, or misuses their authority, we will take action, we will clean up, we will remove them from their positions,” said the President.
Prabowo added that the MBG programme is important for the community because many ordinary people and farmers have expressed that the programme should not be stopped because it helps meet their daily family needs.
“MBG is so important for our nation. Everywhere I meet ordinary people, farmers, ‘Sir, please, don’t stop MBG. This is very helpful. My grandchildren can eat, it helps me a lot, it helps my family a lot’. So, MBG is very important,” said the President.
Prabowo said that the MBG programme will be even stronger with other programmes, such as the KDKMP and the Red and White Fishermen’s Villages, which are aimed at supporting downstreaming and national industrialisation.
“So, all of this will support industrialisation through the Red and White Cooperatives. We will also channel cheap credit to the people,” he said.
For this reason, Prabowo has also instructed that the interest rate from the National Madani Capital (PNM) programme be reduced to below 10 percent.
According to Prabowo, this policy was carried out so that small communities, including women entrepreneurs in villages, can get cheaper financing access than before.
“The interest rate used to be 24 percent, 22 percent. I ordered it to be reduced to below 10 percent. Finally, the Minister of Finance and Danantara said, ‘Okay, 8 percent’. Anyway, below (10 percent). How can big entrepreneurs get 9 percent, and mothers in the villages get 24 percent, that’s not right. We will change it,” said the President.
Prabowo added that in the future, financial institution outlets will be available at the KDKMP to support the distribution of credit to the community.
“With this cooperative, I think our growth will be real and we will progress. Every village will no longer depend on anyone and will have its own strength,” added Prabowo.