Kemenkop Encourages The Establishment Of The Red And White Kopdes In The 3T Region Of Eastern Indonesia

Deputy for Supervision of the Ministry of Cooperatives Herbert Siagian. (Photo: Doc. Kemenkop)

The Ministry of Cooperatives ensures that all Heads of the Provincial and Regency/City Cooperatives Offices in North Maluku, Papua, Central Papua, Papua Mountains and South Papua, are committed to immediately forming the Red and White Village Cooperatives (Kopdes) in every village and village, especially those in the Disadvantaged, Frontier, and Outermost (3T) areas.

Deputy for Supervision of the Ministry of Cooperatives, Herbert Siagian, said that there have been many developments in the 3T area, both in the form of infrastructure and basic services.

However, acceleration is needed to reduce disparities between regions in Indonesia as soon as possible.

"The Red and White Police Chief has become machines to revive and accelerate the formation of new growth magnitudes, in order to realize a sustainable equitable distribution of the 3T region," said Herbert, Friday, March 21.

He considered that with the Red and White Kopdes, the 3T area would not only depend on the developed areas.

"These new growth magnitudes will then realize regional equity," said Herbert.

More than that, Herbert emphasized that the presence of the Red and White Kopdes on the one hand is a form of independence, solidarity, and mutual cooperation to get out of economic problems.

"On the other hand, cooperatives are legal entities from the government to carry out various development interventions," said Herbert.

Herbert admitted that there were several crucial questions related to the Red and White Kopdes. Among them, what is the model for the formation of the Red and White Kopdes? which is the most appropriate? How to deal with the low public trust in cooperatives, especially in coastal areas?

Another question is, what about economic and social institutions that already exist in the village? How much does it cost and who will finance the formation of a legal entity for the red and white village cooperative? Where does financial support overcome the difficulty of regional affordability? How to maintain the principles and values of operation in the formation of the Red and White Kopdes?

However, continued Herbert, most discussion questions can be answered by the issuance of the Circular Letter of the Minister of Cooperatives Number 1 of 2025 concerning Procedures for the Establishment of the Red and White Kopdes.

"And several other things, requested to wait for the issuance of the Presidential Instruction, as well as other regulations, including implementation instructions and technical instructions," said Herbert.

Herbert believes that the formation of the Red and White Kopdes is a strategic step in encouraging the economy of the North Maluku region, Papua, South Papua, Central Papua, and Papua Mountains because they have great potesi to empower local communities and become a forum that brings progress to the local community.