Jakarta, July 22, 2025 — The Merah Putih Village/Kelurahan Cooperatives (Kopdes Merah Putih) are part of President Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cita vision, specifically aimed at achieving true independence through economic self-reliance and equitable development.
“The President is consistent. His programs reflect the Asta Cita—building from the villages and the grassroots to achieve economic equity and eradicate poverty,” said Fithra Faisal, Senior Expert at the Presidential Communication Office (PCO) in Jakarta, Monday (July 21).
During the launch of over 80,000 Kopdes Merah Putih cooperatives in Bentangan Village, Wonosari District, Klaten Regency, Central Java, President Prabowo stated that true independence is not only about national symbols—it must also be reflected in the people’s well-being.
“A cooperative,” the President emphasized, “is a form of collective struggle to create a better life for all.”
Fithra explained that Kopdes Merah Putih will serve as engines of inclusive economic growth, empowering communities from the bottom up. The cooperatives embody the philosophy of development as freedom, as introduced by Nobel laureate Amartya Sen—a vision of development not limited to economic growth, but focused on removing “unfreedoms” such as poverty, hunger, and lack of political agency, while expanding human capabilities.
“This ensures that communities can freely and meaningfully participate in the development process. Development is no longer top-down but bottom-up—this is what makes it inclusive, and truly liberating,” Fithra asserted.
Through Kopdes Merah Putih, President Prabowo aims to ensure stronger grassroots participation. The cooperatives are expected to boost rural economies and enhance quality of life, especially for farmers and fishers.
“In daily reality, farmers face low exchange values for their products. Why? Because at harvest time, they’re often forced to sell immediately. If not, their produce will spoil—resulting in low income and reduced productivity,” Fithra said.
Kopdes Merah Putih aims to address these issues by providing storage warehouses, cold storage facilities for fishers, and logistics support—so produce can be preserved longer and sold at a better time, increasing value and income.
“These cooperatives also reduce dependency on middlemen, streamlining production and increasing efficiency,” he added.
In addition, Kopdes Merah Putih is projected to create new rural jobs, helping prevent youth migration to urban centers. For example, if each cooperative employs six people—three managers and three supervisors—then 80,000 cooperatives would create approximately 480,000 direct jobs across Indonesia.
“Through cooperatives, young people can start building the future from their villages—creating new opportunities and opening up local economies in their hometowns,” Fithra concluded.
