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Tag: Community Support

  • Nusa Tenggara Barat Launches Lentera Ramadan Program in Bima

    Nusa Tenggara Barat Launches Lentera Ramadan Program in Bima

    Lombok Zone – The provincial government of Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB) has kicked off its Lentera Ramadan program at the Al-Muwahidin Grand Mosque in Bima City, marking a significant moment in the Islamic calendar.

    This initiative is part of the 2026 Lentera Ramadan series, which is being hosted for the first time across various districts in NTB.

    Lentera Ramadan aims to enhance Islamic outreach, promote religious activities, and empower local economies during the holy month of Ramadan. The program includes religious teachings, competitions, bazaars for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), as well as education on business and digital marketing.

    Governor Lalu Muhamad Iqbal emphasized the shift from previous years when Ramadan activities were centered in Mataram. Starting this year, events are set to rotate across all regions of NTB. “We want development to not be focused only on Mataram but to reach every corner, including cities and regencies like Bima,” he stated.

    The Lentera Ramadan schedule kicked off in North Lombok from February 25 to March 1, 2026, followed by Bima City on March 2-3, Central Lombok from March 4 to 8, and concluding at the Hubbul Wathan Islamic Center in Mataram from March 11 to 17.

    Highlighting development strategies, Governor Iqbal asserted that the focus must not solely be on the capital. The government is committed to enhancing health services in Sumbawa Island by upgrading the provincial hospital there to Type B. This change means residents will no longer need to travel to Mataram for essential services like cath lab procedures, heart examinations, and other critical care.

    Additionally, there are plans to elevate the status of Bima City Hospital from Type D to Type C. Starting June 2026, vital health services will be available in Bima, reducing the need for patients to be referred to Mataram, a move aimed at alleviating the economic burden on families who often spend extended periods in the capital.

    Governor Iqbal commended the integration of mosque activities with economic initiatives through the MSME bazaar, noting that this approach symbolizes a balance between spiritual and economic strength. “Mosques and markets can coexist, reflecting harmony between worldly affairs and the hereafter,” he remarked.

    In Bima City, Vice Mayor Feri Sofiyan shared the day’s activities, which began with an inspection of Amahami Market alongside the NTB Vice Governor, followed by a readiness ceremony at the city government office and visits to supported MSMEs and families in extreme poverty.

    He expressed gratitude for the support from the provincial leaders, stating their presence inspires local officials to improve services for the community.

    Recently, Bima’s economy has shown a positive growth trend of around 4-5% annually, driven primarily by trade and services. Despite relatively high inflation, market inspections have revealed stable prices for key commodities, including chili peppers and essential goods.

    The Bima City Government is committed to ensuring food availability during Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr with stable and affordable prices.

    Through the Lentera Ramadan 1447 H program, the NTB government aspires to foster a spirit of togetherness, equitable development, and economic empowerment among the community throughout NTB, particularly in Bima City.

    Attendees included NTB Governor Lalu Muhamad Iqbal, NTB Vice Governor Indah Dhamayanti Putri, Bima City Vice Mayor Feri Sofiyan, and other local officials.

  • Local Cooperatives in NTB Urged to Embrace Business Transformation and Seize Opportunities

    Local Cooperatives in NTB Urged to Embrace Business Transformation and Seize Opportunities

    Lombok Zone – The government of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) is actively encouraging local cooperatives to evolve into robust business entities. A significant opportunity lies within the national Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program, which has recently been launched in the region.

    During his address to the members of the Merah Putih Cooperative at Jembatan Kembar, Governor Lalu Muhamad Iqbal emphasized that cooperatives should be viewed as business institutions rather than social organizations. He urged members to shift their mindset and recognize that the success of a cooperative is dependent on the active participation of its members in transactions and the development of business units.

    “Cooperatives are business institutions founded by and for the members. I commend the Merah Putih Cooperative for taking the initiative to distribute essential commodities. This marks a promising start towards becoming a larger business entity,” he remarked during his visit to the KDMP Jembatan Kembar Timur Lembar on Thursday, February 26, 2026.

    To bolster capital strength, it was highlighted that a pool of Rp30 billion in People’s Business Credit (KUR) is currently available at Bank NTB, specifically designated for cooperatives and small-medium enterprises (SMEs). This low-interest funding is expected to act as a catalyst for cooperatives to elevate their business operations through well-structured business proposals.

    Governor Iqbal also stressed the importance of cooperatives’ involvement in the MBG program. Currently, there are over 800 MBG kitchens operating in NTB. However, local farmers supply only 30 percent of the egg demand, with the remainder coming from external sources.

    “This is a golden opportunity. Cooperatives can act as aggregators for the produce from their members’ households to supply the MBG kitchens. The demand is already established; it’s just about how cooperatives manage their supply chain,” he explained.

    Besides eggs, other commodities like chicken, milk, and bread present additional opportunities within the government’s food security framework.

    In conclusion, he encouraged all members to cultivate a sense of ownership towards their cooperatives by prioritizing shopping within their own cooperative instead of turning to modern retail outlets. This strategy is aimed at keeping economic circulation within the membership, ultimately benefiting them through the distribution of profit shares.

    Meanwhile, H. Ismail Darwan, the head of Jembatan Kembar Timur village, expressed his gratitude during his address, appreciating the governor’s visit, which he described as a long-awaited gesture of the provincial government’s commitment to rural development.

    “Thank goodness, our mothers have been patiently waiting to see the governor. We, as a community, extend our warm welcome and gratitude for your willingness to see our conditions firsthand,” he said.

    On the same occasion, Rustam Thamrin, the chairman of KDMP Jembatan Kembar Timur, reported on the cooperative’s progress. He explained that KDMP was established as a swift response to the President’s directive regarding food self-sufficiency.

    “Since May, we have swiftly recruited 96 members. Initially relying on a starting fund of Rp10 million, we began our business operations in September. Our management is dedicated, working through all weather conditions to procure goods from Bulog to serve our members,” Rustam reported.

    He added that in January, they secured a loan agreement of Rp25 million from Bank NTB to scale their business further. “With this significant capital, profits started to become evident. We are highly motivated to keep progressing,” he asserted.