The discourse put forward by the Minister of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration (Mendes PDTT) Abdul Halim Iskandar regarding the increase in village funds from IDR 1 billion per village per year which will be increased to IDR 5 billion one village per year was received positively by the Chairman of Apdesi Arifin Abdul Majid. However, he asked if there was any funds, because the increase was very fanatical.
"Yes, I as the Chair of the Apdesi (Association of the All-Indonesian Village Government) was frankly surprised to also know the huge number of increases. But I welcome the plan. The problem is that it will be realized which will enjoy the village and villagers as well. But we must also be realistic with the current economic and financial conditions of our country," he told VOI.
According to Arifin, he hopes that this discourse will not only stop as an idea. It must really be realized, otherwise it will backfire for those who have discussed it. "We'll just have to wait and see if the government has enough funds to provide additional funds to the village from what has been around so far," he continued.
According to Article 72 of Law No. 6 of 2014 concerning Villages, Village Revenue comes from: (a) Village original income consists of business results, asset results, self-help and participation, mutual cooperation, and others of Village original income. Then from (b) the allocation of the State Revenue and Expenditure Budget. Then from (c) part of the regional tax results and regional retribution/City.
Another source of village funds from: (d) Village fund allocation which is part of the balance fund received by Regency/City. There is also from (e) financial assistance from the Provincial Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget and the Regency/City Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget. And from (f) grants and non-binding donations from third parties. As well as (g) other legitimate village income.
In the Village Law, the amount of village funds from the APBN is not explicit, depending on the government's ability. "Everything depends on the policies of the ruling government. So far, it has been Rp. 1 billion. If you want to increase to Rp. 5 billion, that's very good. Hopefully there will be funds. We'll just have to wait for the announcement from the Minister of Finance regarding this for the 2024 State Budget," he hoped.
Because it is now close to the political year where the presidential and legislative elections in 2024 will be held, he hopes that the village funds will not be politicized and become a sale during the campaign by presidential and vice-presidential candidates as well as campaigners from each candidate pair. "Don't lie to us with empty promises. Because we are really looking forward to it if the discourse can be realized," he said.
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