JAKARTA – The Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions (Mendes PDT), Yandri Susanto, affirmed that the Ministry he leads will continuously safeguard and steer President Prabowo Subianto's priority programs, particularly the Merah Putih Village/Sub-district Cooperative (KDKMP). He expressed high optimism for the program's success in elevating the welfare of rural communities, especially as it utilizes Village Funds.

Minister Yandri revealed that, to date, warehouses and retail outlets have been constructed for approximately 18,000 Merah Putih Village/Sub-district Cooperatives nationwide.

"If all goes according to plan, around 35,000 KDMP facilities will be fully constructed by August," stated Minister Yandri during an appearance as a featured speaker on CNN Indonesia TV's Newsroom program on Tuesday evening (July 28, 2026).

However, Minister Yandri asked the public for patience as the infrastructure rollout remains ongoing, with current focus directed toward completing warehouses, retail outlets, and operational transport vehicles.

"A Presidential Regulation is currently being finalized to govern the operationalization of the KDKMP," Minister Yandri noted.

The KDMP, according to Minister Yandri, will guarantee that all forms of government assistance—such as subsidized fertilizers, LPG canisters, and seeds—reach rural residents directly and hit their intended targets precisely.

Furthermore, the KDKMP is designed to function as an off-taker (guaranteed buyer) for various products and commodities generated by local village communities.

"The KDMP aligns directly with President Prabowo's 6th Asta Cita (Aspiration): Building from the Village and from the Bottom-Up for Economic Equality and Poverty Eradication," Minister Yandri stated.

Minister Yandri assured that the KDMP will not replace the role of Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDesa). Instead, it enters the ecosystem to complement existing business units previously managed by rural residents.

BUMDesa has traditionally focused on managing specialized local potential—such as eco-tourism spots, village markets, clean water supply, and general public services.

Meanwhile, the KDMP will concentrate on fulfilling daily community necessities, including basic consumer goods, savings and loan services, and acting as an aggregator for local agricultural yields and handicraft products.

"Thus, they complement each other—neither will displace or diminish the other," Minister Yandri emphasized.

Previously, Minister Yandri reiterated that the Ministry, alongside 10 Village Associations, will continuously safeguard President Prabowo Subianto's programs, most notably the Merah Putih Village/Sub-district Cooperative initiative.

Under the current structural framework, he noted, his ministry will actively engage village administrations—including village heads, Village Consultative Councils (BPD), and local village apparatuses—highlighting that grassroots involvement is vital to driving the program's ultimate success.

Photo: Andri/Kemendes PDT 
Text: Firman/Kemendes PDT