The Red And White Kopdes Of Prabowo's Last Trident Weapon Overcome Poverty

A number of residents bought daily necessities at the Hutadaa Village Red and White Cooperative outlet in Gorontalo Regency, Gorontalo. (ANTARA/Adiwinata Solihin)

JAKARTA - The Head of Presidential Communications, Hasan Nasbi, explained that the Red and White Village Cooperative (Kopdes) is one of three tridents' "armed weapons" in poverty alleviation strategies in the era of President Prabowo Subianto's administration. The other two programs are free health checks for schools and public schools.

"The first weapon is health, the second weapon is education, and the third weapon is socio-economic," Hasan said in a written statement, Sunday, July 20.

The three programs were launched during July 2025 as a form of the government's commitment to ensuring a concrete equitable distribution of welfare, not just a ceremony.

The launch of the Red and White Kopdes was carried out based on Presidential Instruction (Inpres) No. 9 of 2025 concerning the Acceleration of the Establishment of the Red and White Village Cooperative which has been in effect since March 27, 2025. This program involves 13 ministries and 2 agencies, as well as support from governors, regents/mayors, and village heads throughout Indonesia.

According to data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) as of September 2024, there are 24.06 million poor people or about 8.57 percent of the total population, with more than 3.1 million people entering the extreme poor category. This condition is a serious challenge in realizing the vision of Indonesia Gold 2045.

The Main Expert of the Presidential Communication Office (PCO), Adita Irawati, said that at the initial launch, 103 mock-ups or pilot models of the Red and White Kopdes were introduced whose operations would be tested and replicated to 80,000 other villages.

"A total of 103 Red and White Kopdes will be seen for operationalization. Others are prepared in stages. This is done to ensure that it is not only occupied and operational, but the Red and White Kopdes can provide optimal benefits for the community," said Adita.

The Red and White Kopdes was formed with an inclusive, modern, and mutual-based approach. The goal is to strengthen the village economy, increase food security, and reduce poverty.

The existence of Kopdes is also expected to erase the dependence of the village community on illegal online loans, tengkulak, and the practice of moneylenders. The Red and White Kopdes acts as a reservoir for agricultural products directly from farmers, cutting the supply chain which has been suppressing farmers' profits, and providing affordable prices for consumers.

This program was developed through three approaches, namely forming a new cooperative, developing existing cooperatives, and revitalizing old cooperatives. The institutional structure of the Kopdes includes cooperative offices, basic food outlets, savings and loan units, clinics and village pharmacies, cold storage facilities, and logistics distribution systems.

With these complete facilities, it is hoped that it will be easier for the public to access basic needs, health services, and business financing without high interest pressures. agricultural products and marine products can also be stored more securely and efficiently distributed.

"The facilities found in the Red and White Kopdes are expected to make it easier for people to access basic necessities that are more affordable. People can also borrow capital easily without going through moneylenders. Health services will be closer. Farming and sea products can be stored in a safe place. Logistics distribution is also running smoothly," concluded Adita.

President Prabowo Subianto is scheduled to inaugurate the Red and White Village Cooperative in Klaten, Central Java, on July 21, 2025. Before leaving there, the Head of State held a limited meeting with the Ministers of the Red and White Cabinet at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base to discuss a number of strategic issues including the Red and White Kopdes.