57 Koperasi Desa Merah Putih Become Economic Pillars for Malang

Malang: The Malang City Government is moving to support the national program to establish the Koperasi Desa Merah Putih (KKMP). To date, 57 cooperatives have been officially established, covering all villages in Malang City, East Java.

This step aligns with the national launch of the Koperasi Desa Merah Putih/Sub-district Cooperatives by President Prabowo Subianto on Monday, July 21, 2025. The launch marked the beginning of a village- and sub-district-based cooperative institutional program targeting 80,000 locations across Indonesia.

In Malang City, the launch was followed virtually from the Ngalam Command Center (NCC) Room and attended in person by Malang Mayor Wahyu Hidayat, MM, and members of the Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda).

Wahyu explained his commitment that the establishment of cooperatives at the sub-district level is not merely ceremonial, but a concrete manifestation of support for the people's economy.

"We established the Koperasi Desa Merah Putih in Malang City as the foundation for a sustainable people's economy. We want cooperatives to truly become pillars of community welfare at the sub-district level," he said in a press release on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.

Although most KKMPs are still in the early stages of physical construction, all have official deed of establishment. Mayor Wahyu stated that this is precisely where the strengthening process begins.

"Cooperatives are not formed as instant projects, but rather as long-term economic institutions built with a spirit of mutual cooperation and a people-centered vision," he explained.

He added that cooperatives in urban areas need to be a real solution to economic problems, such as access to capital, strengthening MSMEs, and distributing local products. The presence of cooperatives in every sub-district is expected to create centers of collective economic activity and strengthen the economic resilience of residents.

Wahyu also cited the example of the Bumiayu KKMP, which has already been operating, focusing on the basic food and savings and loans sectors.

"In Malang City, the Bumiayu KKMP, with 130 members, has been successful and operating successfully. I will also schedule a visit there to see it in person," said the man familiarly known as Pak Mbois.

Going forward, the Malang City Government also plans to collaborate with various parties to support cooperative activities, including companies and state-owned enterprises.

"For example, the collaboration with Pertamina is expected to guarantee the availability of LPG in the area. We will also assess the needs of each sub-district," he said.

As a form of ongoing support, the Malang City Cooperatives, Industry, and Trade Office has compiled a cooperative training roadmap, ranging from management training and institutional mentoring to capital facilitation. An inventory of cooperative operational needs will also be implemented soon.

With the presence of KKMPs in all sub-districts, the Malang City Government aims to create a local economic ecosystem that is inclusive, independent, and capable of sustainably addressing urban economic challenges.