President Prabowo Subianto is committed to uplifting the poor through a series of flagship initiatives aimed not only at addressing immediate needs but also at paving a path for future generations to rise out of poverty. The initiatives include programs such as Sekolah Rakyat (People’s School), Kopdes Merah Putih (Village Cooperatives), and MBG (Free Nutritious Meals). These programs aim to restore dignity to individuals living in poverty and break the cycle of intergenerational poverty.
According to Deputy Minister of Social Affairs Agus Jabo Priyono, the Sekolah Rakyat program is designed to disrupt the cycle where children born into poverty inherit their parents’ economic struggles. President Prabowo emphasizes the importance of education in ensuring that children do not have to face the same challenges as their parents.
Eradicating poverty is a key focus of President Prabowo’s administration, with a target of eliminating extreme poverty by 2026 and reducing the overall national poverty rate to below 5 percent by 2029. This target will be pursued through social intervention and community empowerment programs in line with the national development agenda.
Adita Irawati, Senior Expert at the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), highlighted the administration’s three-pronged strategy to combat poverty, which includes initiatives such as the People’s School, Red-and-White Village Cooperatives, and Free Health Checks in Schools. The government aims to reach 50 million Indonesians through the Free Health Checks initiative by the end of the year, particularly targeting schoolgirls from elementary through high school.
The Red-and-White Village Cooperatives are designed to stimulate local economies and promote self-sufficiency by creating new jobs and empowering rural and urban communities. President Prabowo is set to launch the Kopdes Merah Putih program with a goal of establishing 80,000 cooperatives nationwide on July 21, 2025.
In conclusion, President Prabowo aims to ensure that the poor benefit from these programs as quickly as possible. The government’s focus on education, community empowerment, and economic development through cooperative initiatives reflects its commitment to uplifting individuals and breaking the cycle of poverty in Indonesia.
