Top security and law enforcement officials met at the 79th National Cooperative Day celebration in Jakarta on Thursday. President Prabowo Subianto promoted cooperatives as a pillar of national growth. Moreover, the event also marked the start of a new operational phase for the government’s Red and White Village Cooperative program across the country Sunday afternoon.

JAKARTA, Thekabarnews.com—President Prabowo Subianto has called for the strengthening of cooperatives across Indonesia. Senior government, military, police, intelligence, and law enforcement officials gathered for the 79th National Cooperative Day (Harkopnas) in Jakarta on Sunday, July 12.

The main celebration took place at the Indonesia Arena in the Gelora Bung Karno complex. Organizers expected about 20,000 representatives of cooperatives and other participants from throughout the country to attend, ANTARA reported.

Photos from the event showed National Police chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo, Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Gen. Agus Subiyanto, Attorney General ST Burhanuddin, Coordinating Politics and Security Minister Gen. (hon.) Djamari Chaniago, and intelligence chief Muhammad Herindra holding their hands together.

Their appearance signaled institutional backing for one of the administration’s hallmark economic programs. But the photograph was not a pronouncement of a new security policy or a formal agreement between the agencies.

In his speech, Prabowo said cooperatives were one of the pillars of Indonesia’s national economy. He stated that it would not be at the expense of private companies or state-owned enterprises. In addition, other economic actors can also support cooperatives.

Instead, the president said, stronger community-owned businesses can help boost growth across sectors. They also allow more Indonesians to participate directly in the economy.

Prabowo also dismissed the pessimism surrounding the government’s cooperative program. He told skeptics of Indonesia’s prospects to stay at home. He said those who believed the country had a bleak future were free to seek opportunity elsewhere.

His comments bolstered his administration’s upbeat message. However, they also could spark a debate about how the government responds to criticism of its economic policies.

Cooperatives Minister Ferry Juliantono said the 2026 Harkopnas celebration was a new phase of operation for the Koperasi Desa/Kelurahan Merah Putih. The term refers to the Red and White Village and Urban Ward Cooperatives.

The government launched the initiative to develop community businesses for food distribution, basic services, financing, and local production. Metro TV News quoted Ferry as saying that the ministry has completed the legal establishment of around 83,000 cooperative entities.

A cooperative being legally established does not mean that all cooperatives have commenced full commercial operations. Each unit still needs effective management, capital, facilities, transparent governance, and a viable business model.

Ferry said that 2026 will be a key year for the national cooperative movement. The initiative draws on the legacy of Indonesia’s first vice president, Mohammad Hatta. He is widely regarded as the father of the country’s cooperative movement.

It will depend on whether the local cooperatives can be self-sufficient. They must hold their finances accountable and provide their members tangible benefits. Importantly, such progress should happen rather than relying indefinitely on government support.