Speaking in Jakarta on Monday, Prabowo said the government plans to establish pharmacies in rural areas through village cooperatives, which will distribute generic medicines directly from manufacturers.
“We want these medicines to be more affordable, and with our system, those covered by Social Security Agency (BPJS) can also receive them for free,” he said.
“Importantly, they won’t have to travel far. The village will have the facilities,” he added.
Beyond medicine, the cooperatives will distribute subsidized LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) and agricultural equipment.
Prabowo said the goal is to cut out middlemen and rent-seeking practices to streamline distribution and lower prices.
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“LPG will have a clear, transparent supply chain. Agricultural tools will also be available through cooperatives. This will help boost the economy from the bottom up. Like in developed countries, cooperatives will be a key driver of economic strength,” he said.
The president also said village-produced goods will be marketed in major cities through retail chains, increasing rural incomes and improving supply chain efficiency.
“Fresh produce from villages — mangoes, bananas, coconuts, papayas — can go straight to supermarkets,” he added.
The initiative is part of a larger government push to empower 80,000 Red-and-White Cooperatives across Indonesia. These cooperatives are intended to serve as integrated service points for health, energy, and agriculture, while also helping distribute locally made products.
Prabowo has framed the plan as part of his broader effort to reduce inequality, strengthen rural economies, and improve access to essential services for millions of Indonesians.
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Translator: Yoanita Hastryka Djohan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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