Regarding Rp200 Trillion Flowing To Himbara, Zulhas: 16,000 Red And White Kopdes Can Access

Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas) said that the Red and White Village Cooperative (KDMP) can now start operating optimally after the government has established a financing mechanism and provides support through placing funds in state-owned banks (Himbara).

"This, although it's the government together, how long have we been waiting for this? It's been months. Well, we've seen, heard, and read, and already knew firsthand that the Minister of Finance has set Rp200 trillion in this hebara, which we've been waiting for, it's been months and now it's there, therefore I think the loan for the Red and White Village Cooperative, so the capital is already there, there is already capital," he told the media crew at his office, Monday, September 15.

He explained that as many as 16,000 KDMP units that are ready to operate will get access to funds of Rp200 trillion which has been allocated by the government in the Association of State-Owned Banks (Himbara).

Zulhas said that the Rp200 trillion fund was not fully used for the Red and White Village Cooperative, but some of it would be used, especially for 16,000 cooperatives that were ready.

He said that of the 1,064 cooperatives that had been formed, it would be an initial priority to be realized first.

"Yes, it's the old 1,064, yes, the old one will be carried out first. This is only Rp. 200 trillion, yes. After that, we will follow this one quickly. It will take about two days," he added.

Zulhas said that the use of funds will adjust the needs of each cooperative, without a special amount limit, but operations that are ready can directly access financing.

"After that, we will follow this one quickly. It will take about two days. Yes, according to the needs, the amount is not limited. Those who are ready, the cooperative, can immediately run," he explained.

Furthermore, Zulhas asked for an acceleration in the loan distribution process, because the cooperative had been waiting for a long time, and the operation was still on hold because there was no available fund support.

"We ask for the acceleration of the distribution of this loan because it has been a long time, yes, it has been 3-4 months from the KOPDES which has been launched by the President directly, don't let this fund settle for a while, even though the cooperative is in dire need," he explained.

According to Zulhas, cooperatives will play an important role in the distribution of basic necessities such as LPG 3 Kg ( melon gas), cooking oil, sugar, rice, and fertilizer, especially ahead of the planting period which will begin soon.

Furthermore, he said that cooperatives are also expected to cut the distribution chain which has been too long, as well as erase the role of tengkulak in villages and this is also an effort to bring rural communities closer to banking services.

"This cooperative will cut the long supply chain as well, to eliminate the villages, tengkulak-tengkulak also bring the village community closer to being assisted, right there is a brilink," he said.