<![CDATA[This study examines the implementation of cooperative establishment principles in the formation of the Merah Putih Village Cooperative from the perspective of Law Number 25 of 1992 concerning Cooperatives. The research is motivated by the government's policy to accelerate the establishment of 80,000 village cooperatives through Presidential Instruction Number 9 of 2025, which raises legal issues concerning regulatory hierarchy, legal certainty, and conformity with cooperative principles. The study aims to analyze the legal framework governing the establishment of the Merah Putih Village Cooperative and evaluate its implementation in Mancagar Village, Garawangi District, Kuningan Regency. This research employs a normative-empirical legal research method with a qualitative approach through statutory analysis, legal principles, interviews, and field observations. The findings reveal that Law Number 25 of 1992 comprehensively regulates cooperative establishment principles, governance, membership, and capital mechanisms. Nevertheless, the implementation of the Merah Putih Village Cooperative still demonstrates several inconsistencies with cooperative principles, particularly in the top-down establishment process, dependence on government funding, and limited community participation. These conditions may undermine the principles of independence, democratic governance, and legal certainty in cooperative management. The study concludes that strengthening regulatory harmonization and promoting participatory implementation are essential to ensuring that the establishment of the Merah Putih Village Cooperative remains consistent with cooperative principles and achieves sustainable governance.]]>
