Controversy Over ASN Salaries Through Kopdes, Legislator Reminds ASN Should Not Be Forced to Join Cooperatives

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Member of Commission II of the House of Representatives from the Gerindra Party, Azis Subekti, has reminded that civil servants (ASN) should not be forced to become members of a cooperative, deposit their salaries, or purchase certain goods to receive their financial rights.

Moreover, Azis stated that the salary payment services through the Red and White Village Cooperative (Kopdes) must be supported with a solid system, human resources, technology, capital, and oversight.

This remark came in response to the controversy surrounding the payment of civil servant salaries through the Red and White Kopdes.

“Cooperatives should thrive based on their ability to provide benefits and earn the trust of the community, not through coercion,” Azis said in a press statement on Thursday (22/10/2026).

Additionally, Azis indicated that the debate regarding the plan to distribute civil servant salaries through the Kopdes should not obscure the primary goal of the program, which is to expand economic ownership for the people.

He emphasized that the success of the Kopdes should not only be judged by the amount of funds managed or the number of transactions conducted, but by the increasing opportunities for people to own business activities.

“Its success is not determined by the volume of money passing through the cooperative but by the greater number of people who become owners of economic activities that grow within their community,” he stated.

Furthermore, Azis pointed out that the plan to distribute civil servant salaries through the Kopdes raises concerns about the liquidity and sustainability of Regional Development Banks (BPD).

Azis noted that BPD plays a vital role in financing regional development, while cooperatives provide broader opportunities for people to collectively participate in economic activities.

“BPD certainly plays an important role in financing regional development and contributing to regional revenue. However, the interest in sustaining BPD's business should not be at odds with efforts to strengthen cooperatives,” Azis emphasized.

Moreover, Azis explained that cooperatives differ from corporate entities as their members are not just service users but also stakeholders with a say in decision-making.

Through cooperatives, Azis stated that farmers, fishermen, small traders, workers, and even ASN can unite and benefit from the development of joint economic activities.

Thus, Azis supports President Prabowo Subianto's initiative to develop the Red and White Kopdes as part of an economic development strategy from the grassroots.

“This program is not merely about establishing new business entities in villages and sub-districts but is an effort to improve the status of the community in production, trade, distribution, and economic services,” Azis added.

Diverging Views Between the Minister of Cooperatives and the Minister of Administrative Reform on Salary Payments via Kopdes

Minister of Cooperatives Ferry Juliantono emphasized that his office is proposing for the Red and White Kopdes to participate in distributing civil servant salaries.