The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) suspects that 87 villages have committed corruption in Village Funds. The suspicion comes from public reports to the anti-corruption agency, which reached 362 reports.

Regarding the many alleged corruption cases, the Director of the Regional Research and Information Center (PATTIRO), Maya Rostanty, believes that the Village Task Force (Village Task Force) has not worked optimally in increasing the capacity and monitoring the performance of village officials.

“If the Village Task Force had been running optimally, it would be impossible for the Corruption Eradication Committee (KPK) to receive that many reports. “Because one of the missions of the Village Task Force is to provide solutions and mitigation in responding to community reports regarding Village Funds,” said Maya, Jakarta, Tuesday (31/1).

He added that the Village Task Force should be able to help prevent criminal acts of Village Fund corruption, “Because they are tasked with overseeing the distribution, use and management of these funds,” he added.

Not only the Village Task Force, weak supervision and guidance from the Regency/City Government is also a factor in the emergence of corruption in villages. In fact, according to the mandate of Village Law number 6 of 2014 Article 112, paragraphs 1 and 2, the District Government must provide guidance and supervision of the implementation of Village Government.

“This is a warning to districts which are mandated to prepare villages to manage village funds,” explained Maya.

Initial Steps to Empower Villages

If later officials in these 87 villages are proven to have committed criminal acts of corruption, PATTIRO Program Manager, Agus Salim said, the Corruption Eradication Commission cannot just impose punishments. The reason is, with a relatively minimal level of education, it is possible that village officials do not intend to commit acts of corruption. “It is very possible that they are not committing corruption but maladministration caused by not knowing the rules of procedure,” he explained. “By empowering the village, the more acts that are suspected of corruption will become more common.” he added.

Apart from Villages which may not have knowledge of Village Funds, it is very possible, continued Agus, that the Law Enforcement Officials (APH) themselves also do not really understand Village Fund procedures, “So, the capacity that must be increased is not only the Village, but the APH as well, or the community and the Inspectorate “Regions understand the Village Fund mechanism,” he said.

It is targeted that in 2018, the Village Fund budget will double or become IDR 120 trillion. This figure is certainly very tempting to misuse for stakeholders, not just the Village. For this reason, Agus said, the Corruption Eradication Committee, as the one that received public reports, could invite all stakeholders to resolve the 87 suspected cases.

“This could be the first step to empower villages. Invite all stakeholders to follow up on this case, by formulating strategies for preventing and handling Village Fund corruption systemically. “So, the KPK’s energy can be used to handle other major corruption cases,” he stressed. (AR)