"In fact, it is expected to be at the forefront of ensuring the realization of the national food and energy security program," the deputy minister noted in a statement in Jakarta on Monday.
Furthermore, Ferry, who is also the Coordinating Chairperson of the KDMP Acceleration Task Force, stated that the plan to establish over 80 thousand KDMPs will facilitate the distribution of products from state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and other entities while also serving as a channel for government programs.
He noted that several pilot KDMPs are being mentored by relatively advanced Kopontren (Islamic boarding school cooperatives), such as those in East Java (Sunan Drajat and Sidogiri Kopontren) and West Java (At-Ittifaq Kopontren).
"Kopontren provides assistance and guidance to the KDMPs that are ready to operate, including their sharia financing cooperatives," the deputy minister stated.
According to Ferry, the presence of KDMP aligns with the advanced ecosystem managed by Kopontren and Sharia Cooperatives.
The deputy minister expressed hope for developing an ecosystem that restores cooperatives to their rightful economic role, as mandated by Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution.
"This means that when cooperatives thrive, the local economy and community will also prosper. Cooperatives are member-owned business entities, which are very different from corporations," he explained.
He affirmed that the KDMP aims to eliminate loan sharks, middlemen, and high-interest online lenders.
"Thus, communities will no longer become trapped in these exploitative practices," Ferry stated.
Looking ahead, the Ministry of Cooperatives, in collaboration with the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and the Indonesian Mosque Council (DMI), will continue to promote the development of mosque-based cooperatives to help communities around mosques.
"We can empower mosque beneficiaries to become micro-entrepreneurs by forming cooperatives," Ferry stated.
He remarked that cooperatives today are no longer limited to savings and loans; they can also engage in production, distribution, and industrial sectors, and even operate as credit unions to help finance the community.
Hence, the deputy minister seeks support from MUI and DMI to help ensure the success of KDMP in alleviating poverty in Indonesia.
"This includes improving the village data system to be more accurate and precise," the deputy minister noted.
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Translator: Yoanita Hastryka Djohan
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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