President Prabowo Subianto emphasized the importance of the Merah Putih Village Cooperatives in improving the welfare of the people, stressing that the program is designed to benefit the community as a whole. During the official launch of the program in Bentangan Village, Klaten, he highlighted the need for strict monitoring to prevent any form of abuse, recalling past mistakes from the New Order era when cooperatives were misused for personal gain.
He outlined that the new cooperative system is grounded in technology and transparency, allowing for real-time monitoring of all financial transactions. By implementing digital platforms for inflows and outflows, the government aims to eradicate any possibility of ‘Chairman Profits First’ mentality within the cooperatives.
President Prabowo called on village heads to actively supervise the cooperative chairpersons to ensure that the initiative serves its intended purpose of community development. He used a metaphor of unity to explain the strength of cooperation, emphasizing the importance of solidarity among community members to create a powerful economic force.
This movement is seen as a way to rejuvenate Indonesia’s rural economy and decentralize resource distribution. President Prabowo envisions a shift in economic dynamics, directing funds from cities back to the villages to stimulate local growth. The cooperative initiative aims to empower regencies, districts, and villages, fostering economic development at the grassroots level.
