Village cooperatives means to support people-oriented economy: Hasan

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Cooperatives planned under the Red and White Village Cooperatives program are envisioned to play a key role in fostering a people-oriented economy through inclusive and equitable community empowerment, Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan stated.

Speaking at the 2025 National Milk Day celebration in Jakarta on Sunday, Hasan emphasized that achieving sustained and equitable economic growth requires more than contributions from large enterprises—it must also involve the active participation of small businesses in rural areas.

In this context, Hasan expressed optimism that the Red and White Village Cooperatives could become spearheads of the people-oriented economy by positioning villages as new centers of economic growth capable of supporting the national economy.

He noted that the government’s commitment to promoting this cooperatives program reflects a deep concern and dedication to unlocking the rural potential.

To ensure social justice in Indonesia, he added, it is vital that economic development benefits all citizens—not just a select few.

Hasan expressed hope that the village cooperatives would enable the government to improve public welfare more equitably while empowering rural communities to make greater contributions to the national economy.

He also urged state-owned enterprises (SOEs) not to underestimate micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) or overlook their potential.

“I want to remind SOEs that MSMEs are not objects of pity or burdens. They have equal potential—they only need us to demonstrate political will by supporting them and giving them opportunities,” he stressed.

Earlier, on Friday (June 13), Hasan noted that the cooperatives program, which is scheduled for nationwide launch on July 12, had been well received by the public.

Out of the targeted 80,000 villages, 79,882 have already held conferences to support the establishment of Red and White Village Cooperatives. He added that the Ministry of Law had confirmed 37,300 of those villages as being legally ready to establish their cooperatives.