Acèh Kreatif and Acèh Kaya for Strengthening Cooperatives in Aceh

Aceh Barat - Acèh Kreatif and Aceh Kaya are two programs embodied in the vision of Aceh Besar's mission. This program is specially prepared by the Government of Aceh in an effort to strengthen the cooperative in Bumi Serambi Mecca.

This was conveyed by the Regional Secretary of Aceh Drs Dermawan MM, in his speech when officially opening the Commemoration of National Cooperative Day in 2018, at the Meulaboh Sports Building yard, Monday (23/7/2018).

"The Aceh Creative program focuses on encouraging the growth of the people's economy according to the regional potential, while Aceh Kaya is more to stimulate the entrepreneurial spirit of the community under the guidance of related institutions," said Dermawan.

In addition to these two programs, the Government of Aceh also continues to encourage the private sector to allocate its CSR funds for the strengthening of cooperatives. To that end Generous advocate all parties to cooperate with each other to succeed this program, so that cooperatives can rise, grow and return victorious.

Generous invites all parties to make the commemoration of Cooperative Day as a momentum to enhance the role of cooperatives in the midst of society, so the spirit of kinship and mutual cooperation in building people's prosperity can be realized.

Currently, continued Dermawan, the world of cooperatives is facing various dynamics as the strong flow of global markets and free trade that directly or indirectly have an impact on efforts to increase the capacity of cooperatives in order to improve the welfare of the community.

"We all know, cooperatives are basically built on the basis of kinship, and solidarity, while the global economic movement is capitalist that relies on free competition, the strong will triumph, the losers will fall, ironically, the world tends to justify this western economy, solidarity in the economy is increasingly paralyzed, "said Dermawan.

This condition is a big challenge for cooperatives to face. Therefore, Sekda reminded that cooperatives continue to prepare themselves so that they can compete with the capitalist-oriented private institutions that start moving for the small business sector.

"Cooperatives should be able to convince the public about the Islamic economic base that uphold togetherness and mutual cooperation," said Dermawan.

In addition, the philanthropist also advised that the cooperative prepare to deal with social change among the people, mainly due to the increase of individualistic spirit so that many consider the cooperative as an ancient economic form that is no longer in accordance with the present.

"To answer that challenge, the spirit of togetherness that characterizes the cooperative must be strengthened, especially since we know that cooperative is not merely as a business enterprise, but also an ideology manifestation on the basis of justice and mutual help," added Dermawan.

He reminded that Law number 17 of 2012 on Cooperatives has mandated all parties to raise cooperatives in order to improve the welfare of the community.

"Judging from the principle, cooperatives can be viewed as anti-capitalist movement and against individualistic spirit by raising cooperatives, we also play a role in stemming capitalism which is the natural child of globalization," he said.

Cooperatives and Principles of Islamic Economics

On the occasion, Dermawan also reminded that the capitalistic principle tends to be individualistic is not compatible with the culture of Aceh and Islamic economics. Therefore, he invites all parties to support the Government of Aceh's step in strengthening cooperatives that tend to be closer to the principles of Islamic economics.

"Therefore, it is our collective responsibility to enhance and re-energize the spirit of cooperation in Aceh, so that the culture of the nation, such as mutual cooperation, and social solidarity remain sustainable," said Dermawan.

In fact, continued Dermawan, the role of cooperatives in building social solidarity has been recognized internationally. He added that the UN has recommended that cooperatives emerge as models of economic development in developing countries.

"On the basis of that, we need to revitalize the cooperative again in accordance with the theme of this year's Cooperative Anniversary, 'Strengthening Cooperatives Promoting National Economic Growth'.

In that way, the influence of capitalism that tends to make people mutual and indifferent to each other can be resisted.

Based on data from the Department of Cooperatives and SMEs, until the end of 2017 the number of cooperatives in Aceh reached 6,883 units. A total of 4,356 units or 63.29 percent are active cooperatives while as many as 2527 units or 36.71 percent are less active cooperative categories. Of these, Acehnese who joined as members of the cooperative reached 470,354 people.