The Minister Of Home Affairs Ensures That The Government Is Open To Discussing The Term Of Office Of The Village Head

Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian Working Meeting with the DPR Legislation Body at the DPR Jakarta building, Monday (5/2/2024). (ANTARA/YouTube/DPR RI

JAKARTA - Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) Tito Karnavian said the government was open to discussing the term of office of the village head (kades) in the Draft Law (RUU) regarding the second amendment to Law Number 6 of 2014 concerning Villages.

He said 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.

According to Tito, the government proposes a six-year option with a three-term opportunity.

"We are only open to this from the government, which is the best from our discussion, we see that there is not much effect," Tito said during a Working Meeting with the DPR Legislation Body as reported by ANTARA, Monday, February 5.

Even so, according to him, the government accepts that the six-year term will have an impact on approximately 7,000 village heads whose term ends in February 2024.

According to him, there are aspirations of a number of village officials that the term of office of the village head remains for six years and wants 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, according to him, it will have an impact on regional head elections (pilkada). He said village officials were worried that the village head would be appointed by the regional head for the benefit of the regional election.

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

Previously, the Legislation Body (Baleg) of the House of Representatives (DPR) discussed the revision or Draft Law (RUU) regarding 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.