“We are exerting all-out efforts to help the president in this cause,” Cooperatives Minister Ferry Juliantono said at the launch of village cooperative operations in Lebak District, Banten.
He stressed that Prabowo is fully committed to expanding cooperatives across the country, convinced they can play a crucial role in boosting the welfare of Indonesians, especially in rural areas.
The KDMPs are designed to reduce poverty by providing rural households with affordable essentials while shielding them from loan sharks, middlemen and illegal online lenders, Juliantono explained.
He said the cooperatives would also operate pharmacies and clinics to ensure access to medicines and medical services at fair prices.
“We are optimistic that cooperatives will become a pillar of the national economy, especially since the president officiated the establishment of 80,000 Red and White Village Cooperatives nationwide in Klaten, Central Java, in July 2025,” the minister said.
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He added that the programme has now moved into its operational stage, including the rollout of loan schemes to serve as capital for village cooperatives.
The government has allocated Rp16 trillion (nearly $1 billion) through state banks to provide financing to 10,000 KDMPs, he noted.
“President Prabowo wants funds from the central government to be disbursed as soon as possible to help stimulate rural economies through KDMPs,” Juliantono said.
Lebak District Head Mochamad Hasbi Asyidiki voiced support, expressing hope that the 344 KDMPs in his region could help cut poverty, which still affects about 111,000 residents.
“We are convinced that if KDMPs run well, they will help boost people’s incomes and ultimately alleviate poverty,” he said.
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Translator: Mansyur S, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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