Zulhas Clarifies Kopdes Merah Putih is Not a Supermarket, but an Offtaker

Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan has stated that many parties misunderstand the Koperasi Desa/Kelurahan Merah Putih (KDKMP) programme, mistakenly viewing it as a supermarket. Zulhas explained that the Kopdes Merah Putih is intended as government infrastructure and an offtaker, or buyer, of community produce.

This was conveyed by Zulhas following a limited meeting with President Prabowo Subianto to discuss strengthening the Kopdes Merah Putih programme. The meeting took place at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday.

“Earlier we discussed strengthening the cooperative. Firstly, many misunderstand the Kopdes, thinking it is like a supermarket, when in fact it is a cooperative. The Kopdes is government infrastructure, and secondly, it is an offtaker,” Zulhas said at the palace complex.

Regarding its role as government infrastructure, Zulhas explained that the KDKMP will eventually become a distribution point for social assistance and subsidised goods. This aid will be distributed to each cooperative before reaching the community.

“What is this government infrastructure? Assistance, social aid, subsidised goods, these must go through the Kopdes later. So it is clear, because every village has one,” he stated.

Zulhas explained that the village cooperative also aims to act as an offtaker. Through this cooperative, goods will be sold at prices below the determined standard.

“Secondly, it acts as an offtaker. If the price of unhusked rice is below the standard we have set, the cooperative can take over, buying the unhusked rice, corn, and so on,” he said.