Minister urges students be optimistic about Red-White Village Coops

but don't be pessimistic. People need business entities and their economy needs to rise

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Minister of Cooperatives Ferry Juliantono called on students to not be pessimistic about the Red and White Village Cooperatives (KDMP) programme despite its operations still facing various challenges.

Juliantono conveyed this in response to recent student demonstration, one of whose demands was for the Red and White Village Cooperative programme to be streamlined and re-evaluated.

"It is indeed not easy to operate, but don't be pessimistic. People need business entities and their economy needs to rise," he said at the parliamentary building here on Wednesday.

The establishment of KDMP, Juliantono explained, is the government's effort to drive productive economic activities at the village levels by positioning the community as the main actors in business activities.

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He said the implementation of the programme includes several stages, from the formation of legal entities, construction of facilities, to cooperative operations. Therefore, the implementation requires time and adjustments before it can run optimally.

Juliantono stated the government has also adjusted the construction targets for Red and White Village Cooperatives this year.

"But the operational requires a qualitative approach, based on a feasibility study as stated by the House of Representative (DPR) and these village cooperatives must be profitable and so on. So, a qualitative approach is also needed," he said.

Previously, Juliantono estimated around 40 thousand Red and White Village Cooperatives could begin their operations by the end of 2026, in line with the acceleration of supporting infrastructure construction in various regions.

"Once the physical buildings are finished, operations will be pursued. I believe it can be achieved by the end of this year," he said on Thursday (June 11).

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Translator: Rizka, Kenzu

Editor: Fransiska Ninditya

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