KOPDIT SWASTI SARI Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara Dare to be Different Low class community, who generally has low income, if “handled” properly, will show outstanding potential. Such experience has been proven by Credit Cooperation (Kopdit) of Swasti Sari in the city of Kupang, NTT. Since it was able to put its hands around the “grass root” class, now Kopdit of Swasti Sari—established on April 10, 1997— becomes an advanced financial service institution, it is even quite prominent in the City of Kupang. Just like any other cooperation in general, Kopdit of Swasti Sari actively distributes credit fund that is normally utilized as working capital for farmers and fishermen in Kupang beach. The number is quite large during 2008 which reached Rp 27,058,825,000. With such large scrolling loan fund, of course crucial question arises: What is the secret behind the success of that Kopdit of Swasti Sari There is one strategy applied by Daniel and partners administrators of Kopdit in recruiting customers. One of which is by ways of providing lower loan interest than any other financial services. If a financial institution sets a minimum interest in the amount of 2%, Kopdit of Swasti Sari is able to provide loan interest in the amount of only 1,5%. This “appear differently” trick is quite daring, indeed. However, then it harvested the interests of those who wish to become customers and members. “If they are given high interest, they will face difficulties,” added Daniel Tapobali, Chairman of Kopdit of Swastisari providing alibis. The number of Kopdit of Swasti Sari members increased from one year to another. Up to March 2009, the number of members of Kopdit was 4,701, while the total number of customers serviced by Kopdit of Swasti Sari reached 8,000, both as members and non members. Different from KSP, that only services members, Kopdit service scale is more open. In terms of management, Daniel Tapobali together with eight staff always emphasize the important meaning of togetherness, both with administrators, and with members. “I think, that is the meaning of togetherness in cooperation basis, which is to sit together to solve problems faced by the members or otherwise,” said Daniel. Initially Swasti Sari Credit Cooperation concentrated in trading field. One of the reasons is that the cooperation base camp which is located in the heart of the City of Kupang is the busiest transaction center throughout such NTT capital city. Meanwhile farmers and fishermen in the area of sub-urban in the city of Kupang expected that they could also obtain capital aid service. Their wishes were granted. Considering the favorable track record of Kopdit of Swasti Sari that shows this Kopdit has successfully managed scrolling loan fund, in 2005 this cooperation was participated in capital strengthening program through sector scrolling fund aid through State Ministry of Cooperation and Small and Middle Scale Business in the amount of Rp 1 billion. KSP of Swasti Sari service scale was extended by opening credit services for agricultural sector. Indeed, not only strengthening fund in the amount of Rp 1 billion that was scrolled. Kopdit of Swasti Sari also scrolled their own fund to strengthen such capitalization for farmers, especially corn farmers and fishermen in Kupang beach. In addition to loan capital from the government, in the amount of Rp 1 billion, fund source of the cooperation that now owns asset worth more than Rp 29 billion is also supported by independent fund. Tracing back the story of Kopdit Swasti of Sari, one thing that can be modeled is the innovative nature adopted by the administrators. “Innovation is important, even though for that we are considered as different,” concluded Daniel. K o p e r a s i P e d u l i , R a k y a t S e j a h t e r a 101
102 K o p e r a s i P e d u l i , R a k y a t S e j a h t e r a