Ministry Of Village Affirms: Kopdes Notary Cost Taken From Village Funds, Not New Burden

Screenshot - Head of the Center for Competitiveness and Information Development of Villages and Disadvantaged Regions of the Ministry of Villages PDT Luthfy Latief

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions (Kemendes PDT) reminded that the cost for making a notary deed in the establishment of the Red and White Village Cooperative (Kopdes) can be taken from the Village Fund.

"If the local government does not finance the deed of notary for the establishment of the Red and White Kopdes, then it can be used from three percent of village funds," said Head of the Center for Competitiveness and Information Development of Villages and Disadvantaged Regions of the Ministry of Villages PDT, Luthfy Latief, in a knowledge-sharing activity. Food and Climate Security Villages' which was held online, Antara, Tuesday, June 3.

Luthfy explained, the Ministry of Villages PDT has determined that a maximum of three percent of the Village Fund can be allocated for the operational needs of the village government.

The legalization fee of Kopdes through a notary is included in the operational financing category.

He gave an example, if a village receives village funds of Rp. 1 billion, then the allocation for village government operations is Rp. 30 million. Of that amount, around Rp. 2.5 million can be used for the legalization of cooperatives before a notary.

"If the operational funds are Rp. 30 million, the notary fee is only Rp. 2.5 million, does it not want to be used for that? Including meeting fees and other supporting activities," said Luthfy.

This explanation was conveyed to answer the concerns of a number of participants in activities related to financing the establishment of the Red and White Kopdes.

On that occasion, Luthfy also emphasized that the Kemendes PDT had no intention of burdening villages through various development programs. On the other hand, the ministry is committed to encouraging the maximum use of the Village Fund for community development and empowerment.

"Rest assured, the Ministry of Villages has never thought of burdening the village. Instead, we want to maximize the benefits of village funds," he said.

Previously, the Minister of Villages and PDT, Yandri Susanto, also emphasized that the legalization of the Red and White Kopdes could be funded through the Village Fund, in accordance with a circular issued by the ministry.

"The legalization fee for Kopdes can be taken from the Village Fund, around Rp. 2.5 million, or from other sources that can be accounted for," said Yandri.

He also emphasized that there are no provisions requiring villages to use certain notary services, so that villages have flexibility in the process of establishing the cooperative legal entity.