President Prabowo Subianto is scheduled to inaugurate the Koperasi Desa/Kelurahan Merah Putih (Village/Urban Cooperative “Merah Putih”) on Monday, July 21, 2025, as part of his sixth Asta Cita (Visionary Aspiration). This initiative aims to revitalize local economies and kickstart poverty alleviation from the grassroots level. Hasan Nasbi, Head of Presidential Communications, outlined the three core strategies, known as the “trident of poverty eradication,” which include health, education, and socio-economic development. President Prabowo’s administration has rolled out these strategies to drive measurable welfare improvements beyond symbolic actions.
The introduction of programs like the Free Health Check Program in Schools, the People’s School, and the Kopdes Merah Putih reflects the government’s commitment to addressing poverty systematically. The Kopdes Merah Putih program, initiated through Presidential Instruction No. 9 of 2025, aims to build the national economy from villages upwards, aiming to reduce inequality and uplift communities from poverty. The involvement of thirteen ministries, two national agencies, governors, mayors, regents, and village heads underscore a coordinated effort to combat poverty at its core.
Economic disparity is recognized as a barrier to essential services like education, healthcare, and infrastructure. The 2025 Statistics Indonesia data highlights the prevalence of poverty in the country, hindering progress towards the vision of Indonesia Emas 2045 (Golden Indonesia 2045). Kopdes Merah Putih, with its inclusive and community-driven approach, aims to strengthen rural economies, enhance food security, and combat poverty at its roots.
By empowering farmers through direct purchase of agricultural products and cutting out exploitative intermediaries, Kopdes Merah Putih seeks to eliminate illegal lending operations and predatory practices that hamper rural development. The initiative is poised to stimulate local businesses, streamline supply chains, and improve access to vital resources and services in remote areas. Through various strategies like establishing new cooperatives, expanding existing ones, and reviving underperforming units, Kopdes Merah Putih envisions a future where rural communities thrive with access to affordable goods, financial services, healthcare, and efficient logistics.
