Chairman of DPR Commission XI Reminds of the Importance of Transparency in Village Funds
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Chairman of DPR Commission XI, Mukhamad Misbakhun, has reminded local government officials, village heads, and village apparatus of the importance of prioritising transparency and accountability in Village Funds.
He conveyed this during the “Socialisation of Accountability in Village Fund Management” event in Pasuruan Regency, East Java, on Thursday (30/4).
“Village Funds are part of the State Budget with significant responsibilities. Every rupiah spent must be accountable both administratively and substantively,” he stated in a press release received in Jakarta on Friday.
He explained that Village Funds serve as a strategic instrument of the government to strengthen development from the grassroots level.
Additionally, Village Funds represent a concrete effort to address poverty, improve infrastructure, and enhance the welfare of rural communities.
Since the enactment of Law No. 6 of 2014 on Villages, the central government has given significant attention to villages as governmental entities with the authority to regulate and manage their communities, one of which is through Village Funds.
The government continues to strive to increase the allocation of these funds year by year.
“This increase demonstrates the state’s commitment to building from the village level,” he said.
Nevertheless, he cautioned about the importance of adequate management capacity alongside the rising budget for rural communities.
He revealed that to date, various challenges persist in the field regarding the use of Village Funds, such as weak documentation, lack of transparency, and discrepancies between planning and budget realisation.
“Village heads are not elected for their administrative expertise but for their prominence in the community. Therefore, mentoring, technical guidance, and education are crucial to prevent errors that could lead to legal problems,” he said.
Furthermore, the chairman of the DPR Commission handling financial matters also stressed the importance of the role of the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) as the institution authorised to conduct audits and calculate state losses.
He encouraged village heads to actively build communication with stakeholders, including local governments and BPK, to obtain guidance and improve the quality of village financial governance.
“The main objective of Village Funds is to improve community welfare. Therefore, their management must be proper, transparent, and accountable,” he stated.