MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM – The Provincial Government of North Sumatra is intensifying the implementation of the Merah Putih Village/Urban Ward Cooperatives (KDKMP) program through its Office of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), aiming to strengthen local economic development across all 33 regencies and cities in the province.
Acting Head of the North Sumatra Cooperatives and SMEs Office, Ady Putra Parlaungan, confirmed that a total of 6,100 legal cooperatives have been established under the program and are now distributed across all regions of the province.
"Up to this point, 6,100 legally registered Merah Putih Village and Urban Ward Cooperatives (KDKMP) have been formed across all 33 regencies and cities in North Sumatra," Ady said on Monday, May 25, 2026.
Digital Transformation Through SIMKOPDES
In terms of governance, Ady highlighted that 98 percent of the cooperatives have already been integrated into the SIMKOPDES digital system. This digital transformation is designed to strengthen transparency, accountability, and efficiency in cooperative management at the village level.
MERAH PUTIH COOPERATIVES PROGRESS: Acting Head of the North Sumatra Cooperatives and SMEs Office, Ady Putra Parlaungan, presents updates on 6,100 cooperatives, 1,685 construction sites, and 353 completed outlets. (PHOTO: Doc. North Sumatra Communication and Informatics Office)
Infrastructure Expansion and Operational Readiness
Alongside institutional development, the provincial government is also accelerating physical infrastructure under the program. A total of 1,685 construction sites are currently underway, while 353 cooperative outlets have been fully completed and are already operational.
According to Ady, these cooperatives are gradually evolving into rural economic hubs, providing not only financial services but also essential goods such as groceries, pharmacies, and in some locations even basic healthcare services.
The implementation has been particularly dynamic in South Labuhanbatu Regency, which has already achieved over 64 percent progress.
Strengthening Human Resources and Sustainable Growth
Beyond infrastructure, the provincial government is also focusing on improving the capacity of cooperative managers. Many administrators still require training, institutional mentoring, and support in establishing business partnerships, Ady noted.
"We remain committed to ensuring that the cooperatives that have been established can quickly become operational and deliver real benefits to the community," he said.
He also emphasized the importance of professional management of community capital sourced from member savings to maximize public welfare outcomes.
"With strong collaboration, we are confident that the Merah Putih cooperatives will become a key driver of the local economy and a comprehensive savings and service system," he added. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Darmailawati | EDITOR: Fik Sagala