President Prabowo Subianto emphasized the importance of the 80,081 Merah Putih Village Cooperatives in improving the welfare of the people during the official launch of the program. He reminded all stakeholders to monitor the cooperatives closely to prevent any form of abuse. Referring to past mistakes during the New Order era, where cooperatives were joked about as being ‘Chairman Profits First,’ President Prabowo stressed that the new cooperative system is built on technology and transparency.
With the advancement of technology, financial flows within the cooperatives can now be monitored and audited in real-time. President Prabowo highlighted the necessity for strict oversight to ensure the cooperatives serve their purpose of benefiting the community. He urged village heads to actively supervise the cooperative chairpersons, as they are closest to the people and play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the initiative.
Using a traditional metaphor, President Prabowo emphasized the power of unity in cooperatives, likening them to a strong tool formed by bundling together weaker elements. He envisioned the Merah Putih Cooperatives as a means to revitalize Indonesia’s rural economy and redistribute resources from cities to provinces and villages. This movement aims to decentralize economic activities and empower regencies, districts, and villages in driving the country’s economic growth.
