Minister Of Home Affairs: Government Proposes 18 Year Village Head Term

Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian. (Photo: Mery Handayani/VOI)

JAKARTA - The government is open about discussing the term of office of the village head (kades) in the Draft Law (RUU) on the Second Amendment to Law Number 6 of 2014 concerning Villages. The government proposes 6 years for three periods or 18 years.

This was conveyed by the Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) Tito Karnavian during a working meeting (raker) with the Legislation Body (Baleg) of the DPR at the parliament complex, Jakarta, last Monday.

"We are only open to this from the government, which one is the best from our discussion, we see that there is not much effect," he said, as reported by ANTARA.

Tito explained that there were a number of options for the village head's term of office that were discussed, including nine years and the opportunity for two periods or six years and the opportunity for three periods. The government, according to him, proposed the six-year option with three times the period. However, Tito said, the government accepted the aspirations of the six-year office would have an impact on approximately 7,000 village heads whose term ended in February 2024.

Tito revealed that there are aspirations of a number of village officials who want the village head to remain for six years and want the 7,000 village heads to end their term of office in February 2024.

But on the other hand, there is a view that if the 7,000 village heads end their term of office in February 2024, it could have an impact on regional head elections (pilkada).

Para perangkat desa, Tito menuturkan, khawatir kepala desa akan ditunjuk kepala daerah untuk kepentingan pilkada.

"They are worried that all the people (regents) in the regional elections will benefit their party, the party is colorful, it's not fair, so they hope to extend the 7,000 (kades)," he explained.

Previously, the DPR Baleg discussed the revision or Draft Law (RUU) on the Second Amendment to Law Number 6 of 2014 concerning Villages, together with the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri).

In the discussion of the bill, Tito Karnavian conveyed to Baleg members who were present about the proposed article or which would be changed, added, and even deleted. Then it will be brought by Baleg Supratman Chairman Andi Agtas to be discussed at the next level.