JAKARTA – The Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions (Mendes PDT), Yandri Susanto, was honored with the Award Trophy in the Bakti Koperasi Pradana Nayaka category by the Ministry of Cooperatives at St. Regis Jakarta on Thursday (August 20, 2026).

Represented by Secretary-General Taufik Madjid, the award was presented as a form of recognition for Minister Yandri's commitment and dedication to strengthening cooperatives as a vital mechanism for improving community welfare, particularly across villages and disadvantaged areas.

During his address, Minister of Cooperatives Ferry Juliantono highlighted the significance of these leaders' efforts, emphasizing that their mission extends beyond reviving cooperatives to actively ensuring tangible improvements in public prosperity.

He noted that every step taken to establish cooperatives in rural and disadvantaged regions stands as proof of government efforts to drive economic equality and poverty eradication.

"This is not merely about who receives the award, but an acknowledgment of those who work consistently and carry forward the legacy of Mohammad Hatta," Minister Ferry Juliantono stated in his opening remarks.

The Bakti Koperasi Pradana Nayaka Award serves as a milestone to reinforce a shared commitment to positioning cooperatives as a pillar of inclusive and sustainable economic growth. As a key partner, Kemendes PDT will continue to promote collaborative initiatives to strengthen the role of cooperatives in rural development and community empowerment.

For context, cooperatives hold a strategic role in reinforcing rural economies. They serve not only as economic platforms for local communities, but also as mechanisms to consolidate rural economic potential and resources.

Consequently, strengthening cooperatives requires synergy among central, regional, and village governments, the business sector, and local communities. A primary example is the Merah Putih Village/Sub-district Cooperative (KDKMP) program, launched nationwide under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto.

Rural cooperatives must maintain good, professional governance while remaining adaptable to economic shifts and technological advances. Institutional capacity building is expected to unlock business opportunities, broaden market access, boost local productivity, and create rural employment opportunities.

To that end, Kemendes PDT, in close collaboration with partner ministries—including the Ministry of Cooperatives—is dedicated to mentoring both physical development and local human resource capacity. This guidance ensures cooperatives transition from formal institutions into vibrant, professionally managed, independent, and sustainable centers of village economic activity. Ultimately, these cooperatives are envisioned to deliver tangible benefits, generate jobs, and serve as primary drivers of rural economic growth and improved living standards.

Photo: Mugi/Kemendes PDT 
Text: Ria/Kemendes PDT