The transformation of local governance and public participation : a study of four villages in Java after the reformasi
Loading...
Date
2006-04
Authors
Mutiarin, Dyah
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
The reformasi movement brought about changes in nearly all aspects of social life
in Indonesia. Along with the thrust toward democracy, Law No.22/1999 on regional
administration has established the legal foundation for local good governance and
more public participation in the country's decision making process. This law grants
more political power to the district parliament (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Daerah,
DPRD) and provides for the formation of the local council (Badan Perwakilan Desa,
BPD) in the villages.
This study focuses on the transformation of village governance after reformasi. It
argues that the current relationship between the Bupati and the DPRD in the
district level is different from that between the Lurah and the BPD in the village. At
the district level, it is found that the power that was given to the DPRD has been
generally misused for personal narrow interests. At the village level, it is found out
that the BPD has been taking up an important role in village governance. In fact,
power is shared between the BPD and the village government. A check and
balance mechanism is being put into place so that the decision-making process at
the village level is becoming more transparent and accountable. This study
documents important changes that have occurred in village administration,
particularly in the BPD, the village government officials, LKMD, PKK, and other
institutions.
At the same time, the more open political atmosphere after reformasi has given
impetus to the villagers to organise and consolidate themselves via locally initiated
institutions. Village government is no longer the sole actor in the decision-making
process in the villages. The BPD is now involved too, though its role as the
representative of the villagers remains unfulfilled. Also, women are becoming more
involved in village-level political institutions. As yet, no NGOs are based in the
villages, but villagers are starting to work with NGOs based in the sub-districts and
the towns. All these are signs pointing towards democratisation in the villages.
However, the key actors in the old institutions that were established during the New
Order have also reconstituted their positions in the new political setting in the
villages. Conflicts of interests between the old players and the new political elites in
the BPD are also common. This study shows that the process of settling such
conflicts is influenced by cultural values, local customs, personality of leaders and
the pluralist composition of each village.
Description
Keywords
Transformation of village governance