Abpednas: Administrative Errors in Village Fund Management Should Not Lead to Immediate Criminalisation

The Village Consultative Body Association (Abpednas) held its inaugural jamboree at the Sarongge Valley Campground in Ciputri Village, Pacet District, Cianjur, on Saturday, 27 June 2026. The event was the first Abpednas jamboree to be officially held at the district level in Indonesia. Participants and administrators from Village Consultative Bodies (BPD) across all 32 sub-districts in Cianjur filled the tents and campground with a spirit of consolidation. Cianjur Regent Mohammad Wahyu Ferdian, representatives from the Cianjur District Prosecutor’s Office, Deputy Chairperson of the Abpednas Central Executive Board Irfan Aghasar, and Yudi Purnomo were in attendance. Regent Wahyu Ferdian stated that the jamboree was not merely ceremonial, but intended as a collective learning space for BPD administrators and members, a forum for discussion, training, and the exchange of experiences between villages to sharpen their capacity. “The core of it all is synergy at the village level. If the synergy is strong, development programmes will truly be felt by the community,” Wahyu said. The issue of BPD members’ welfare immediately surfaced during the forum, with several participants voicing hopes for increased allowances and budgetary support. Responding to this, the Regent did not dismiss the aspirations, assuring that all input would be recorded, studied, and adjusted according to the region’s fiscal capacity. “All forms of appreciation for those working for the village are our concern. Adjustments will be seen from the scale of priorities and budget strength. Hopefully, things will get better in the future,” he stated. Meanwhile, Deputy Chairperson of the Abpednas Central Executive Board, Irfan Aghasar, read out an official message from the Attorney General’s Office regarding the handling of alleged village fund irregularities. A new, fairer policy direction was emphasised, one that distinguishes between administrative errors and criminal acts. Irfan provided a concrete example: if only a technical error occurred, such as a misrecording or a mistaken transfer that was subsequently returned, it would not be directly processed as a criminal case. The approach would instead involve guidance and correction. This stance was met with relief by many village heads and BPD members present. However, a firm line was also drawn. Irfan reminded the audience that if elements of intent, data manipulation, or budget misuse causing state or regional financial losses are found, the law will be enforced without compromise.