Ogan Ilir, KOTABARI.COM – Several village chiefs in Ogan Ilir Regency, South Sumatra, have expressed their dissatisfaction over a fee of Rp 700,000 imposed on them for the distribution of job extension decree (SK) and the socialization of the revised Village Law.
According to the village chiefs, the fee is divided into Rp 200,000 for the inauguration and distribution of SK, and Rp 500,000 for the socialization event on the revised Village Law. “We were surprised to find out that such a significant fee was charged,” said one village chief in South Indralaya District, on Tuesday (25/6/2024).
Following the enactment of Village Law No. 3 of 2024, the tenure of village chiefs has been officially extended from six years to eight years. This policy has been implemented in Ogan Ilir, and village chiefs have received their extension decree (SK).
An anonymous source mentioned that the decision to impose the fee was made by the Chairman of the Village Chiefs Forum on Tuesday (18/6/2024). The meeting took place at the residence of the head of Tanjung Raja Selatan Village, Maya Srihartati Pathul. “At that time, it was supposed to be a gathering for camaraderie and coordination. We were surprised to find out about the fee,” the source revealed.
Funds collected from the village chiefs were subsequently handed over to Maya Srihartati and Nora Trianawati, the heads of Ketapang II Village.
However, Angga Arafat, the Chairman of the Village Chiefs Forum in Ogan Ilir, denied the existence of any fee collection. “No fees were collected,” Angga asserted when contacted via WhatsApp.
According to Angga, the socialization of the revised Village Law was initiated by the Village Chiefs Forum, not the government. “The socialization was a request made by the village chiefs representing their constituencies during the meeting,” he explained.
The controversy surrounding the fee collection has caused unrest among village chiefs in Ogan Ilir, who are hoping for further clarity regarding the perceived burden of these fees.