Jakarta (BERITAPOLITIK.ONLINE) — The 14th Plenary Session of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) for the Fourth Session of the 2023-2024 Term has greenlit the revision of the Law on the Second Amendment to Law Number 6 of 2014 concerning Villages, turning it into law.
“Shall the Draft Law on the Second Amendment to Law Number 6 of 2014 concerning Villages be approved and enacted into law, all in favor?” stated the Chairperson of DPR RI, Puan Maharani, during the Plenary Session at the DPR RI Building, Jakarta, on Thursday, March 28, 2024.
The question was met with unanimous agreement from all members and faction representatives present at the DPR RI Plenary Session, followed by resounding applause.
While delivering the opening report, the Chairperson of the DPR RI Legislative Body (Baleg), Supratman Andi Agtas, revealed that the agreed-upon amendments to the Village Law comprised 26 changes.
One of the crucial changes approved pertained to Article 39 regarding the term of office for village heads, now extended to 8 years with a maximum of two terms, previously set at 6 years with a maximum of three terms.
Among other amendments in the Village Law, he added, were the insertion of Article 5A regarding the allocation of conservation and/or rehabilitation funds; provisions in Articles 26, 50A, and 62 concerning the provision of retirement benefits once at the end of the village head’s term, Village Consultative Body (Badan Permusyawaratan Desa), and village officials in accordance with the village’s capability.
Additionally, the insertion of Article 34A regarding the number of candidates for village head in village head elections (pilkades); provisions in Article 72 regarding village revenue sources; provisions in Article 118 regarding transitional provisions; and provisions in Article 121A concerning monitoring and review of laws were agreed upon.
He stated that previously, nine factions in the DPR RI Baleg had unanimously agreed to proceed with the Village Law Bill to the Plenary Session for enactment into law after discussing 248 lists of issue inventories (DIM) in a joint working meeting with the government on February 5, 2024.
“From the 9 factions in the People’s Representative Council of the Republic of Indonesia, all have unanimously agreed for the Village Law Bill to be brought into the Level II discussion stage in the DPR Plenary Session for enactment into law,” he said.
During the occasion, the Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) Tito Karnavian expressed hope that the revised Village Law would foster more advanced, independent, and prosperous villages to contribute towards realizing Indonesia’s Golden Vision 2045.
“This constitutes a breakthrough or innovation in legislative policy aimed at accelerating the enhancement of village government performance, with the ultimate goal of better governance, community development, and empowerment, as well as village development, making villages a force or hub for development, not solely focused on urban or metropolitan areas,” said Tito, representing the president’s final opinion.
Apart from Puan, also present alongside were the Vice Chairs of DPR RI, Rachmat Gobel, Lodewijk F. Paulus, and Sufmi Dasco Ahmad. Additionally, representatives of village officials were present to witness the approval of the Village Law from the balcony of the DPR RI Plenary Session Room.
According to records from the DPR RI General Secretariat, the plenary session was attended by 69 physically present members of the council, while 234 other members expressed their consent.
“Hence, the total attendance reached 303 members out of 575 DPR RI members, with representatives from all factions present,” stated Puan.
