Nabire, July 21, 2025 – The Government of Papua Tengah Province officially launched 1,428 Merah Putih Cooperatives in a symbolic ceremony held at Pasar Pagi Nabire, Perintis Street, Wonorejo District, Nabire Regency, on Monday (July 21). The event also marked the commemoration of the 78th National Cooperative Day.
The initiative aims to strengthen grassroots economic structures by establishing cooperatives in every village, fostering community participation, inclusiveness, and equitable development.
Governor Meki Nawipa, in his opening speech, emphasized that these cooperatives are more than just economic institutions—they represent the spirit of mutual cooperation and democratic economic values.
“From the people, by the people, and for the people—this is the foundation of our nation’s economy as mandated by Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution,” Nawipa stated.
He further highlighted that the Merah Putih Cooperatives symbolize a strategic step toward achieving economic justice and sovereignty in line with the vision of a Golden Indonesia 2045. These cooperatives are designed to be key drivers of inclusive, community-rooted economic growth.
As of July, 70.1% of villages and urban wards (approximately 847) across Papua Tengah have held village deliberations—an essential step in the cooperative formation process. Out of these, 48.1% (around 581 cooperatives) have officially acquired legal entity status.
“This is tangible evidence of our collective hard work. Still, we need continued support from various stakeholders to ensure all villages and urban wards can establish fully functional Merah Putih Cooperatives,” the governor added.
Unlike traditional savings and loan cooperatives, the Merah Putih model integrates various economic functions including:
Subsidized staple goods outlets (selling rice, gas, and cooking oil),
Village health clinics and pharmacies,
Storage warehouses, and
Logistics and transportation services for agricultural produce.
Governor Nawipa explained that these cooperatives will build partnerships with farmer groups, BUMDes (village-owned enterprises), private businesses, academic institutions, and other cooperative sectors. This collaborative model, known as the pentahelix approach, ensures multi-sector synergy in pursuit of shared community welfare.
He also called on young people to actively participate in cooperatives as part of their journey to become innovative, independent economic actors.
“Let’s prove that a just and prosperous Indonesia is not built by the power of a few, but through the strength of the people. These cooperatives must grow into pillars of economic self-reliance, social solidarity, and sustainable prosperity for the people of Papua Tengah,” Nawipa concluded.
