"The President wants the government to eliminate the distance (between itself and villagers)," he added during a review of a conference on advancing the national cooperatives program in Tanjung Rejo village, Kudus district, Central Java, on Tuesday.
According to a statement issued here on Wednesday, Sudaryono emphasized that the Prabowo administration intends to use the village cooperatives as tools to improve villagers' access to staple commodities, health services, medicines, liquefied petroleum gas, and fertilizers at reasonable rates.
"(Such items and services) will be offered at prices predetermined by the government, with no additional costs," he informed.
He pointed out that the rural conference, which took place simultaneously with similar events held in over three thousand villages across Central Java, reflects a shared commitment to establishing Red and White Village Cooperatives.
The deputy minister then underlined that the target is for all 8,567 villages across the province to organize a similar conference by the end of this month.
He also assured the public that the national priority program is focused solely on enhancing the welfare of rural communities.
He further said that he and several other ministers visited Central Java to ensure that the special conferences help raise public awareness and understanding about the program and its objectives.
"It is important for all parties, including village heads and their constituents, to understand that Red and White Cooperatives will not be a burden to the people. These business entities will be managed carefully to distribute government aid and services directly to citizens," he affirmed.
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Translator: Muhammad H, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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