JAKARTA – The Indonesian Village Apparatus Association (PPDI) has declared its full support for the implementation of the President’s priority programs aimed at community welfare, including the Merah Putih Village Cooperative, the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program, Public Schools (Sekolah Rakyat), and the Merah Putih Fishing Villages, among others.

This declaration of support was read out in front of the Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions (Mendes PDT), Yandri Susanto, and the Deputy Minister of Villages and PDT, Ahmad Riza Patria, during the PPDI National Working Meeting (Rakernas) held at the Operational Room of the Ministry’s Kalibata Office on Wednesday (June 17, 2026).

"If shortcomings arise, it is the governance structure that must be reformed, not the program that should be abolished. This is because the MBG program is highly needed by rural communities, including the supporting Merah Putih Village Cooperatives," stated the General Chairman of PPDI, Sarjoko.

Minister Yandri positively welcomed the support from PPDI, noting that these priority programs directly target the needs of grassroots communities.

"Thank you to PPDI for supporting the execution of President Prabowo's flagship initiatives, namely the MBG program, the Merah Putih Village Cooperative, Public Schools, and the Merah Putih Fishing Cooperatives," Minister Yandri expressed.

In line with the President's directives, Minister Yandri added that any operational shortcomings in the field would be thoroughly rectified to the maximum extent possible, rather than halting the program altogether.

Minister Yandri emphasized that the role of the village apparatus is highly strategic, acting as the backbone of village administration. Therefore, the Ministry highly relies on PPDI's support to successfully realize President Prabowo Subianto's 6th Asta Cita (Aspiration): "Building from the Village and from the Bottom-Up for Economic Equality and Poverty Eradication."

"Specifically, the village apparatus must also supervise the '12 Actions to Build Villages' program, which encompasses BUMDesa, the Merah Putih Village Cooperative, Food Security Villages, Tourism Villages, Export Villages, and youth pioneers for villages, among others," Minister Yandri stated.

Furthermore, Minister Yandri shared promising news that Government Regulation (PP) No. 16 of 2026 has been officially enacted, accommodating and translating long-held aspirations voiced by PPDI.

For instance, the Fixed Income (Siltap) for village apparatus will no longer experience disbursement delays as encountered previously, since it will be directly transferred to the respective Village Bank Accounts, guaranteeing punctual monthly salaries.

"The baseline salary has been equated to that of a Civil Servant (PNS) Grade 2A, and there will be periodic income increments," Minister Yandri revealed.

Regarding PPDI's latest aspiration to have their employment status officially recorded as "Village Employees," Minister Yandri promised to advocate for the cause and consult with relevant line ministries.

"We heavily recognize that the strategic role of PPDI has been immensely helpful to ongoing government programs," Minister Yandri noted.

"Congratulations to PPDI on your 20th anniversary—two decades of service—and have a productive National Working Meeting. We stand ready to receive and champion the recommendations resulting from this Rakernas," Minister Yandri concluded.

Accompanying Minister Yandri at the event were Secretary-General Taufik Madjid, Inspector General Mashyudi, Head of the Information Development Agency (BPI) Mulyadin Malik, and Head of BPSDM Agustomi Masik.

Photo: Mugi/Kemendes PDT 
Text: Firman/Kemendes PDT