Village Councils

Village Councils

From Warta Kota

Establishment of the village councils (DK) in January 2001 was canceled because it was supposed to have violated the Regional Regulation No 5/2000 regarding the formation of a DK, and thus establishment of the bodies must be reprocessed in March, 2001.

In this context it is deemed necessary to inform the public of the main points contained in the Regional Regulation No 5/2000.

1. The setting up of a village council is to fulfill the people's demands and aspirations that the village administrations (PK) can be carried out in a democratic and transparent manner, while giving greater emphasis to the people's potential. The village councils are the working partners of village administrators in the decision-making processes in order to produce regional policies which serve to accommodate the interests and needs of the people.

2. The legal basis for the establishment of a DK is Law No. 22/1999 concerning regional autonomy, which assists the village chief to manage the administration.

3. The structure of village councils is through representation of the village residents, as a realization of the democratic system.

4. Members of the village councils shall consist of prominent figures of a village elected by the villagers. The former should have great concern for the common people and environment, possess good morality and utilize ample time to accomplish their tasks and responsibilities.

5. The term of office in a DK lasts for five years and the members can be reelected for just one more five-year term.

M.A. ROY RACHMAN

Jakarta