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