JAKARTA - The Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) is working on the placement of the main penghulu evenly in each province as part of strengthening career levels through the arrangement of functional positions and the fulfillment of the needs of penghulu.
"One of the steps prepared is the placement of the main penghulu at the provincial level, with a plan for at least two formations in each province as part of strengthening the strategic role of the penghulu," said Director of Bina Office of Religious Affairs (KUA) and Sakinah Family of the Ministry of Religion Ahmad Zayadi in Jakarta, Thursday, quoted by Antara.
Zayadi explained that there was a gap between the current number of penghulu and the ideal national need, which reached 16,237 people.
Based on the existing conditions in 2026, the number of penghulu is currently recorded as 11,918 people, consisting of 10,706 Civil Servants (PNS) and 1,212 Government Employees with Work Agreements (PPPK).
"In the next four years, as many as 1,850 penghulu will enter retirement, with details of 300 people in 2026, 463 people in 2027, 508 people in 2028, and 579 people in 2029," said Zayadi.
He said the Ministry of Religion is currently continuing to maintain intensive communication and coordination with the Ministry of PAN-RB to discuss strategic steps in meeting the needs of penghulu.
According to him, a number of options are being studied, including the opening of the Civil Servant Candidate (CPNS) formation on an ongoing basis to the mechanism of transferring positions into the Functional Department (JF) of the Head of Village through the inpassing scheme.
"There are several options that are being studied to ensure the availability of competent human resources in every line of service," he said.
In addition to meeting the number, he said, the Ministry of Religion is also committed to fighting for the improvement of the welfare of the penghulu, especially regarding functional allowances that have not increased since 2007.
Zayadi emphasized that there was no difference in the amount of functional allowances between civil servants and PPPK, as a manifestation of the principle of justice in bureaucracy.
"Efforts to improve welfare are carried out through coordination with related ministries to encourage adjustments to allowances that have not changed for a long time," he said.
He added that the Ministry of Religion also proposed a class increase in the position as a form of appreciation for the professionalism of the headman, including the submission of a formation for the main expert functional position.
Currently, the rank of penghulu is at Grade 8 for First Expert, Grade 9 for Junior Expert, and Grade 11 for Middle Expert.
"This step was taken so that the welfare standards of the head of the village are in line with the transformation of the KUA service, which is increasingly modern and complex," he said.
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