Attorney General Bans Prosecutors from Charging Village Heads as Suspects, Unless Funds Are Used for a Second Marriage
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Attorney General ST Burhanuddin issued a reprimand to his subordinates, instructing them not to hastily designate village heads as suspects.
He emphasised that the achievements of a regional prosecutor’s office are not measured by how many village officials are criminalised.
“I also expect, and I request from all prosecutorial apparatus, I have conveyed this several times, there should be no more criminalisation of village officials. I will not be proud if you in the regions make village heads suspects,” said Burhanuddin during the ABPEDNAS event at the Fairmont Hotel in Jakarta on Sunday night (19/4/2026).
Burhanuddin stated that village heads are elected from individuals who previously had no knowledge of government administration.
“And if they make mistakes, we can imagine, they have never handled Rp 1.5 billion before, then they handle Rp 1.5 billion. Without guidance, they only think, ‘What is this money for and how do I manage this money?’ They don’t know,” he said.
Burhanuddin conveyed that if there is any deviation in village funds by village heads, local prosecutors are obliged to provide guidance.
Because if accountability is to be demanded, it should be from the district village government department.
“That is the one that must be most accountable if anything happens in the village. The department head is obliged to provide guidance. So, if a village head commits actions outside of proper activities, he too must be responsible for these actions,” said Burhanuddin.
“In every district, there is what is called the village government department; that is the one that must be responsible. But we won’t talk much, but to the district attorneys, once again, I entrust that there is no criminalisation,” he continued.
However, if the village funds are indeed misused for getting married again, then the village head may be prosecuted.
“Except, yes, if the money is indeed used by the village head, perhaps for getting married again or something, and that happens. If the money is truly used, go ahead. But if it’s an administrative error, you make the village head a suspect, I am responsible for your actions. And I will demand accountability from you,” added Burhanuddin.