President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship programs, namely Free Nutritious Meals (Makan Bergizi Gratis / MBG), People’s School (Sekolah Rakyat), and Merah Putih Village/Urban Cooperatives (Koperasi Desa/Kelurahan Merah Putih / Kopdes), are being praised as effective tools in accelerating poverty eradication. These initiatives are not just about providing social assistance to reduce poverty, but rather aim to empower individuals and communities towards economic self-reliance. The Head of the Poverty Eradication Acceleration Agency (BP Taskin), Budiman Sudjatmiko, likened the government’s approach to a football game, where the goal is to ensure that every player is well-equipped and able to contribute towards the ultimate goal of eradicating poverty.
Sekolah Rakyat, a boarding-based education program, seeks to break the cycle of poverty, while MBG and Kopdes Merah Putih offer economic opportunities to entire communities. The implementation of MBG kitchens and Kopdes’ retail outlets is expected to create millions of jobs and boost demand in various sectors such as agriculture, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and village-owned enterprises (BUMDes). Nanik S. Deyang, Deputy Head of BP Taskin, emphasized how these programs provide tangible hope for independence to poor households, by creating value effects for local producers and cutting out costly intermediaries from supply chains.
Kopdes Merah Putih, in particular, is highlighted for its role in providing affordable access to essential resources like LPG cylinders and fertilizers, as well as offering accessible credit options to individuals, thereby freeing them from predatory lending practices. These initiatives not only aim to alleviate poverty but also to empower individuals, strengthen communities, and foster economic independence.
