Make Sure Not To Do Politics, West Papua Prosecutor's Office Affirms Law Enforcement Related To Village Funds Without Indiscriminate

Illustration of the legal process in the judiciary. (Pixabay)

The Head of the West Papua High Prosecutor's Office (Kajati) Harli Siregar ensured that the Prosecutor's Office would continue to oversee the management of village funds so that their use is more targeted.

"We are professionally in accordance with the main duties and functions of the Prosecutor's Office, we will continue to carry out escorts," said Harli Siregar in Manokwari, Wednesday.

He explained that the implementation of the 'Village Front Guard Service or Village Guard' program is an attempt by the Prosecutor's Office to prevent irregularities in the management of village funds.

All personnel of the Prosecutor's Office, both the High Prosecutor's Office and the District Attorney's Office, play an active role in providing assistance to village government officials in West Papua and Southwest Papua, so that they better understand the applicable legal rules.

"The Prosecutor's Office with all its devices continues to oversee the management of the budget that flows to the village," said Harli.

He also emphasized that the Prosecutor's Office does not have politics, which means that all supervisory, prevention and law enforcement tasks are carried out regardless of social status.

"It needs to be underlined, we are not in politics. The Prosecutor's Office is neutral and professional," said Harli Siregar.

Meanwhile, the Regent of Teluk Bintuni, Petrus Kasihiw, said that in monitoring the management and utilization of village funds, the local government involved the local District Attorney's Office.

This has a positive impact on the awareness of village officials in Bintuni Bay not to commit irregularities in the management of village funds.

"It is not easy for village officials to really understand the management of village funds," said Petrus Kasihiw.

He explained that increasing the capacity and quality of village officials was the main factor in the success of managing village funds for the development of the welfare of the village community.

However, if an abuse of authority is found by the village apparatus, then the legal process is enforced according to the provisions.

"We have already processed the village head for the law because he used village funds incorrectly," he said.

The Directorate General of Treasury (DJPb) of the Ministry of Finance reported that the village funds distributed by the Central Government to West Papua in 2023 amounted to Rp682.588 billion.

The funds were given to 802 villages spread across seven districts, namely Manokwari 163 villages, South Manokwari 57 villages, Arfak Mountains 166 villages, Bintuni Bay 115 villages, Wondama Bay 75 villages, Kaimana 84 villages, and Fakfak 142 villages.