President Prabowo Subianto has introduced several flagship programs aimed at accelerating poverty eradication in Indonesia. These initiatives, including Free Nutritious Meals (Makan Bergizi Gratis / MBG), People’s School (Sekolah Rakyat), and the Merah Putih Village/Urban Cooperatives (Koperasi Desa/Kelurahan Merah Putih / Kopdes), are designed to not only alleviate poverty but also create job opportunities and promote economic independence.
Head of the Poverty Eradication Acceleration Agency (BP Taskin), Budiman Sudjatmiko, emphasized the government’s goal of empowering people and making them economically self-reliant. He compared the government’s approach to a football game, where the poor are the players being supported to move smoothly towards poverty eradication.
Sekolah Rakyat, a boarding-based educational program, aims to break the cycle of poverty, while MBG and Kopdes Merah Putih provide economic benefits to entire communities. These initiatives are expected to create millions of jobs, benefiting not only the direct beneficiaries but also upstream sectors such as farmers, SMEs, and village-owned enterprises (BUMDes).
Deputy Head of BP Taskin, Nanik S. Deyang, highlighted the tangible impact of these programs on poor households, providing them with hope for independence. She mentioned examples of small businesses like tofu-and-tempeh factories and vegetable or poultry traders that have expanded and employed more workers due to their involvement in MBG and Kopdes Merah Putih.
Kopdes Merah Putih, in particular, plays a vital role in cutting out costly middlemen from supply chains, enabling farmers to access affordable resources and credit without falling prey to predatory lenders. This approach not only promotes economic growth but also empowers communities to thrive independently.
