PORTALJABAR, BEKASI REGENCY - The Bekasi Regency Government commemorated the 79th National Cooperative Day (Harkopnas) in 2026 which was combined with the monthly Korpri ceremony at the Bekasi Regency Government Plaza, Monday (17/7/2026).

The ceremony was led by the Regional Secretary of Bekasi Regency, Endin Samsudin, while also reading the message from the Minister of Cooperatives of the Republic of Indonesia.

Carrying the theme "Empowered Cooperatives, Prosperous Indonesia", it is a momentum to strengthen the role of cooperatives as drivers of the people's economy while encouraging community participation in the cooperative movement.

In his statement after the ceremony, Endin Samsudin said the development of cooperatives in Bekasi Regency showed an increasingly positive trend.

Where, he said, community enthusiasm for cooperatives is seen to continue to increase, along with the start of the Red and White Village/Sub-district Cooperative (KDMP) program.

"Thank God, we see that cooperatives, especially in Bekasi Regency, are now starting to show enthusiasm from the community. The Head of the Cooperatives Office also said earlier that the KDMP in Bekasi Regency is already running and has been established in approximately 30 villages. Although the physical buildings are not yet optimal, hopefully this Cooperatives Day commemoration will further increase community interest in joining cooperatives," he said in an interview.

He emphasized that cooperatives are a crucial instrument for improving community welfare. He believes the spirit inherited from Bung Hatta, the Father of Indonesian Cooperatives, must be maintained through increasing membership and strengthening cooperative institutions.

"As the Minister of Cooperatives said, the Indonesian economy is driven by cooperatives. Therefore, if you want to improve your well-being, let's become a member of a cooperative. I myself am already a member of the Praja Mukti Cooperative, and hopefully others will join as well," he said.

While leading the ceremony, Endin read the remarks of the Minister of Cooperatives of the Republic of Indonesia, who emphasized that National Cooperative Day is not just an annual ceremony, but rather a momentum to strengthen the position of cooperatives as the pillars of the national economy.

In his address, he conveyed that amidst various global challenges, cooperatives must become increasingly empowered to strengthen the people's economy and achieve inclusive and equitable economic growth. The government also continues to strengthen cooperative development policies by establishing the Merah Putih Village/Sub-district Cooperative (KDMP) as a center for community economic activity.

The Minister of Cooperatives stated that the government is targeting the establishment of more than 80,000 KDMPs across Indonesia. To date, more than 1,000 cooperatives have begun operations, taking the first step in building a community-based economic ecosystem.

In addition, the government is also encouraging the birth of modern cooperatives that utilize digital technology, artificial intelligence, data analysis, and modern payment systems to be able to reach the younger generation, MSMEs, millennial farmers, fishermen, and creative economy actors.

The theme "Empowered Cooperatives, a Prosperous Indonesia," according to the Minister of Cooperatives, implies that Indonesia will not be a developed nation if the people's economy remains lagging behind. Therefore, all cooperative members are encouraged to build cooperatives that are professional, modern, transparent, and innovative, and capable of competing nationally and globally.

Through the commemoration of the 79th National Cooperative Day, the Bekasi Regency Government hopes that the spirit of mutual cooperation, collaboration, and strengthening of cooperative institutions will continue to grow in the community so that cooperatives can become a main pillar in improving people's welfare and strengthening the regional economy.

(Bekasi Regency Communications and Information Service/rka)