Menkop Budi Arie Make Sure To Still Need PPKL Amid Budget Efficiency

Minister of Cooperatives Budi Arie Setiadi. (Photo: Dinda Buana/VOI)

Minister of Cooperatives (Menkop) Budi Arie Setiadi ensured that he still needed the presence of Field Cooperative Extension Officers (PPKL) even though there was an efficiency in the ministry/institutional budget (K/L).

PPKL is a contract (in nature). We will complete the contract (continue). We will see again because we need (PPKL) too," said Coordinating Minister Budi as quoted by ANTARA, Friday, February 14.

He conveyed that his party would continue to empower PPKL to help develop cooperatives in Indonesia.

When asked about the budget post that will be used by his party regarding the financing or salaries of PPKL, Budi said, he was still reviewing and conducting further discussions with related parties.

"That's it, that's why we discussed this settlement. To be sure, we need Field Cooperative Extension Officers. Later on, another assessment, hopefully (can be extended), hopefully, it will be. (Further information) Be patient first, yes," he said.

At the Working Meeting / Hearing Meeting (RDP) with Commission VI of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Wednesday, February 12, 2025, the Coordinating Minister stated that 1,235 PPKLs would be affected by the budget cuts of the Ministry of Cooperatives, which was originally Rp473.31 billion to Rp317.48 billion.

However, Budi immediately dismissed the news of the termination of employment (PHK) of PPKL as a result of the ministry's budget cuts.

"Not being laid off, it's PPKL, Field Cooperative Extension Officer, not being laid off," said Budi at the time.

He said that his party would still use PPKL services to help increase the enthusiasm of the community to become members of cooperatives.

Moreover, according to Budi, the involvement of cooperative communities is still lacking. Meanwhile, there are as many as 130,000 cooperatives in Indonesia that still need support.

"We have to increase the enthusiasm of the community to operate, and of course it is still lacking, because the coverage of our cooperatives is very large, there are around 130 thousand, our country is wide," said Coordinating Minister Budi.