Renamed APKLI Merah Putih backs five government programmes

The Indonesian Street Vendors Association (APKLI) Perjuangan has changed its name to the Indonesian Small, Micro and Street Vendor Association (APKLI) Merah Putih through its sixth National Conference (Munas) held at Wisma Haji, Pondok Gede, East Jakarta, on 25–27 August 2026.

During the conference, APKLI Merah Putih also declared its support for five priority government programmes: Free Nutritious Meals (MBG), Red and White Village/Sub-district Cooperatives (KDKMP), Red and White Fishermen’s Villages (KNMP), People’s Schools, and 3 Million People’s Homes.

Ali Mahsun Atmo, who was elected by acclamation as Chairman of APKLI Merah Putih for the 2026–2031 period in Jakarta on Thursday, stressed that with the new spirit of the organisation he leads, it is ready to enhance the empowerment of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and street vendors as drivers of the people’s economy.

“APKLI Merah Putih is ready to uphold the Red and White banner for people-based economic development,” Ali said at the closing ceremony of the conference.

He also invited all members spread across the archipelago to support the five programmes of President Prabowo Subianto.

“These five programmes need to be supported because they have long been longed for by the people. We will be at the forefront in safeguarding, supporting and making a success of President Prabowo’s five flagship programmes,” Ali said.

He assessed that the five programmes are a concrete manifestation of a clothing, food and housing revolution for all Indonesian people.

MBG serves as a driver for fulfilling the nutrition of the younger generation as well as a support for the people’s economy, which is projected to contribute an additional 0.5 percent to national economic growth.

“The presence of these cooperatives ensures that economic turnover is enjoyed by local communities without being drained away to capital owners in big cities or abroad,” Ali said.

The Red and White Fishermen’s Villages (KNMP), he said, is a strategic step to raise the dignity, standing, living standards and welfare of around 2.2 million fishermen across the archipelago.

People’s Schools is a programme to improve equitable and quality access to education for the nation’s children.

Meanwhile, 3 Million People’s Homes is a programme to provide decent housing to strengthen family resilience and the welfare of low-income communities.

“However, if MBG funds or other programme funds are corrupted, APKLI Merah Putih will be the front guard to push for the corruptors to be processed legally,” Ali asserted.

Through the 2026–2031 management, APKLI Merah Putih is committed to consolidating millions of MSME players and street vendors in Indonesia so that they become the main pillars of equitable national economic growth.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the APKLI Advisory Board Edi Slamet Irianto congratulated Ali Mahsun Atmo on his election as Chairman of APKLI Merah Putih.

“Congratulations on the election of Mr Ali through deliberation and consensus. Congratulations on your work and on fighting for the rights of MSMEs and street vendors as the driving force of the people’s economy,” Edi said.

On that occasion, Ali inaugurated and confirmed Edi Slamet Irianto as Chairman of the APKLI Merah Putih Board of Trustees.