PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The Bandung City Government supports the establishment of the Red and White Cooperative in all sub-districts. This is a big responsibility that must be implemented immediately in a concrete and measurable manner.

"Cooperatives are not just ordinary business entities. Cooperatives are a forum for togetherness, a spirit of mutual cooperation and a real solution in building community economic independence," said Deputy Mayor of Bandung Erwin during the Socialization of the Establishment of the Red and White Urban Village Cooperative, at the Graha Binangkit Building, Tuesday (6/5/2025).

According to him, the cooperative formation model is flexible and can be done through the establishment of new cooperatives, development of existing cooperatives or through revitalization of old cooperatives that are currently not active.

"Most importantly, the process of forming cooperatives must start from the bottom. Through deliberations at the village level involving all elements of society. The support and active role of sub-district heads and village heads are the keys so that the formation of cooperatives can run optimally and according to the needs of the region," he said.

Therefore, Erwin instructed all sub-district heads and village heads to immediately hold meetings and encourage the formation of cooperatives in their respective areas.

This step is part of the national program of the Indonesian Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs which targets the launch of 80,000 Red and White Cooperatives nationwide. The target is attempted to be achieved to coincide with National Cooperative Day on July 12, 2025.

The Merah Putih Urban Village Cooperative in Bandung was designed to directly address the needs of the community, especially in terms of consuming basic necessities such as basic necessities and other daily needs.

This cooperative is domicile-based and will be the spearhead in fulfilling residents' needs efficiently and independently.

"We will try to establish 151 Red and White cooperatives in all sub-districts. This is a form of our seriousness to advance each region and make Bandung a national model city in implementing this people's cooperative program," explained Erwin.

In the same place, Acting Head of the Cooperatives and SMEs Service Tatang Muhtar said that his party is committed to accelerating the establishment of the Merah Putih Urban Village Cooperative in all urban villages in Bandung City.

"Of that number, 75 sub-districts or around 49.7% have community cooperatives that are ready to be developed into red and white cooperatives. Meanwhile, 76 other sub-districts or 50.3% do not yet have active cooperatives, so it is a great opportunity to establish new cooperatives," explained Tatang.

He said, to support the acceleration of this program, socialization and village discussions on the formation of the red and white cooperative will be held from May 14 to June 13, 2025.

The peak, the inauguration of 80,000 Red and White Cooperatives nationwide will be carried out on July 12, 2025, coinciding with National Cooperative Day.