President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship programs, which include Free Nutritious Meals (Makan Bergizi Gratis), People’s School (Sekolah Rakyat), and the Merah Putih Village/Urban Cooperatives (Koperasi Desa/Kelurahan Merah Putih / Kopdes), are being compared to express lanes designed to accelerate poverty eradication. These initiatives are not just about alleviating poverty through social assistance but aim to empower individuals and promote economic self-reliance, as stated by Head of the Poverty Eradication Acceleration Agency (BP Taskin), Budiman Sudjatmiko.
Drawing a football analogy, Budiman explained that the government’s goal is to equip individuals with skills, knowledge, proper nutrition, and economic opportunities to move towards eradicating poverty. The boarding-based Sekolah Rakyat focuses on breaking the cycle of poverty, while MBG and Kopdes Merah Putih contribute to economic growth within communities. MBG’s kitchens and Kopdes’ retail outlets are anticipated to generate millions of job opportunities, benefiting various sectors such as farmers, SMEs, and village-owned enterprises.
Deputy Head of BP Taskin, Nanik S. Deyang, emphasized how these programs provide tangible hope for households to achieve independence. By removing children from limiting environments, boarding schools aim to broaden aspirations, while MBG’s operations create value for local producers, like a tofu-and-tempeh factory now hiring more workers due to supplying MBG kitchens.
In addition to the economic benefits of MBG, Kopdes Merah Putih plays a crucial role in streamlining supply chains and reducing costs by eliminating middlemen. Through Kopdes, LPG cylinders and fertilizers are made more affordable for consumers and farmers, respectively, without involving multiple layers of intermediaries. Furthermore, Kopdes offers access to affordable credit, enabling individuals to avoid high-interest daily lenders and providing capital at favorable terms compared to traditional banks.
These initiatives by President Prabowo Subianto are seen as instrumental in ending poverty, creating opportunities for economic growth while empowering individuals and communities.