Village Governance, Community Life, and the 2014 Village Law in Indonesia

Abstract

In January 2014, the Government of Indonesia issued Law 6/2014 on Villages, aiming to address weaknesses in the decentralisation paradigm, including providing villages with increased budget allocations and improved governance arrangements. Using longitudinal data from forty Indonesian villages in the three-round Local Level Institution studies, fielded in 1996, 2001 and 2012, the article investigates the effects that prior policy has had on village life and the likely implications of the new Village Law for village governance. The focus is on shifts in capacities, constraints and opportunities for the improved responsiveness of local governments toward community needs. We suggest that there is potential for the Law to increase responsivenessthrough a combination of strong financial management systems, new national institutional arrangements, and empowered citizens that can create pressures on the village government to work in the interest of the community-but that substantial risks and obstacles remain.

Evaluating the Implementation of a Mandatory Dual Reporting System: The Case of Indonesian Local Government

“…For Indonesia in particular, despite informative government reports being seen as important for better public sector management and local government accountability (Antlöv et al. ), not enough studies have comprehensively investigated the nature, challenges and outcomes of public sector financial reforms in Indonesia in a single study. For example, Marwata and Alam () investigate the background of accounting reform in Indonesia and the challenges faced by the Indonesian Government in implementing these reforms at both at the central and local levels (the latter referring to the district or provincial context).…”

Decentralising to Villages in Indonesia: Money (and Other) Mistakes

“…Kelurahan heads are also civil servants appointed by district heads. Desa executives are directly elected by citizens (for up to three six year terms), as are members of their councils ( Badan Perwakilan Desa, BPD) (Antlöv, ; Antlöv and Sutoro, ; Antlöv et al ., ).…”

“…Village funding includes: own‐source revenues, transfers from districts, and transfers from the central government. Desa own‐source revenues comprise income from traditional markets they manage, charges on small scale public transportation vehicles that pass through their jurisdictions, and fees for the issuance of birth and marriage certificates, among others (Antlöv et al ., ). Districts are now required to transfer to villages 10 per cent of their own‐source revenues ( Pendapatan Asli Daerah —PAD) as well as 10 per cent of all revenue sharing ( Dana Bagi Hasil —DBH) and general purpose grants ( Dana Alokasi Umum —DAU) they receive from the central government.…”

The Model of Tourism Village-Based Service Learning: A Strategy of Regional Tourism Potential Development

“…Currently, Indonesia is facing problems of economic resources that are still focused in urban areas. Therefore, the tourism village will be able to create an additional economic resource for village community [2]. It is also able to give an impact on the social mobility of people.…”