President Prabowo Subianto’s vision of Asta Cita aims to achieve true independence through economic self-reliance and equitable development, with the Merah Putih Village Cooperatives (Kopdes Merah Putih) playing a key role. Fithra Faisal, a Senior Expert at the Presidential Communication Office (PCO), emphasized that the President’s programs are aligned with this vision, focusing on building economic equity and eradicating poverty from the grassroots level up. The launch of over 80,000 Kopdes Merah Putih cooperatives in Bentangan Village, Wonosari District, Klaten Regency, Central Java, highlighted the importance of economic well-being as a key component of national independence. President Prabowo stressed that cooperatives are essential for collective efforts to improve the quality of life for all individuals.
Kopdes Merah Putih serves as a catalyst for inclusive economic growth, following the philosophy of development as freedom advocated by Nobel laureate Amartya Sen. This approach focuses on removing barriers such as poverty and hunger while expanding human capabilities to enable communities to participate meaningfully in the development process. By empowering communities and enhancing grassroots participation, President Prabowo aims to boost rural economies and improve the livelihoods of farmers and fishers. The cooperatives provide essential support such as storage warehouses, cold storage facilities, and logistics assistance to help increase the value of agricultural products and enhance income opportunities for farmers and fishers.
Furthermore, Kopdes Merah Putih is expected to create new job opportunities in rural areas, thereby preventing youth migration to urban centers. By employing individuals within each cooperative, these initiatives have the potential to generate approximately 480,000 direct jobs across Indonesia. Fithra highlighted the importance of cooperatives in enabling young people to build a future in their villages, fostering economic growth and local development. Through Kopdes Merah Putih, President Prabowo envisions a bottom-up approach to development that is inclusive, liberating, and sustainable for communities nationwide.
