Zulhas Reveals Presidential Regulation on 'Red and White' Village Cooperative Governance Being Fast-Tracked, to Be Completed This Week

Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan has revealed that the government is currently drafting a presidential regulation concerning the governance of the ‘Red and White’ Village/Sub-district Cooperatives. Zulhas stated that the regulation is being prepared by Minister of Cooperatives Ferry Juliantono and Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions Yandri Susanto. “Regarding the governance and so forth, we will finalise the presidential regulation initiated by Mr Ferry and Mr Yandri,” Zulhas said after a limited meeting with President Prabowo at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Thursday. Zulhas is targeting the regulation to be completed this week. “Hopefully we will finish it this week,” he said. On the same occasion, Minister of Cooperatives Ferry revealed President Prabowo’s instruction for the operational preparations of the cooperatives to be carried out meticulously. The President wants the programme to run smoothly and for the benefits to be felt by the community. “The operational preparations were conveyed earlier by the Coordinating Minister. Preparations so that this can run well and successfully. So we hope that after October, everything regarding the Village Cooperatives will be clear, transparent, and the benefits will be felt by the Indonesian people,” he said. Furthermore, Zulhas disclosed President Prabowo’s instruction that the operations of the ‘Red and White’ Village Cooperatives and Fishermen Cooperatives be fully supported by ministries, agencies, and elements of the Indonesian National Armed Forces and the National Police. He reiterated that the cooperatives serve as government infrastructure and an off-taker for distributing subsidised goods. “Earlier, the President ensured that the Red and White Village Cooperatives, Red and White Sub-district Cooperatives, and Red and White Fishermen Cooperatives must be supported by all ministries and agencies. Yes, also supported by the TNI and Polri,” Zulhas stated.