Village Governments Carry Increasing Responsibilities
Indonesia's Village Law grants villages broad authority to manage local government, community development, public services, and economic empowerment. Village officials serve as the first point of contact for citizens, making their understanding of administrative procedures and legal responsibilities critical to effective governance.
However, many remote villages continue to struggle with limited educational opportunities, inadequate infrastructure, and restricted access to government support. Previous studies in Merauke Regency had already identified similar administrative challenges, suggesting that the issue extends beyond a single village.
Kawe Village represents one of the most geographically isolated communities in South Papua. Located on the western tip of Kimaam Island, the village requires many hours of travel by sea before reaching the regency capital, making regular training and institutional support difficult to deliver.
How the Study Was Conducted
The research was carried out between 12 and 24 June 2026 using a qualitative descriptive approach designed to capture real conditions within the village government.
Researchers collected information through:
- In-depth interviews with nine participants, including the village head, village secretary, village officials, and local residents.
- Direct field observations of government activities.
- Reviews of village administrative documents and development records.
- Cross-checking information from multiple sources to ensure consistency and reliability.
Rather than measuring statistics alone, the researchers examined how village officials perform their daily responsibilities and what factors influence their understanding of government regulations.
Eight Factors Limit Officials' Understanding
The study found that Kawe Village officials have only a limited understanding of their legally assigned duties and functions. Researchers identified eight interconnected factors behind this situation.
The findings include:
- Very limited training opportunities. Most officials reported that they had rarely, if ever, received formal training related to village administration.
- No standardized performance evaluation system. Officials receive informal feedback instead of structured assessments.
- Limited administrative resources. Internet access, manuals, and digital equipment remain scarce.
- Low educational attainment. Many officials have only completed elementary or junior secondary education, making legal regulations difficult to interpret.
- Minimal prior government experience. Most officials entered office without previous administrative work experience.
- Limited technical support from higher levels of government. Financial transfers are provided, but capacity-building programs are uncommon.
- Low public participation in improving village governance.
- Strong customary influence. Traditional decision-making practices frequently shape governance alongside formal government regulations.
Development Targets Have Fallen Behind
The researchers also linked these capacity gaps to several development programs that failed to meet planned targets.
Among the examples documented in the study:
- Only 15 hectares of new rice fields were completed despite a target of 50 hectares.
- Only three houses were completed out of a planned seven.
- Infrastructure projects such as community wells, sanitation facilities, church rehabilitation, and boat docking improvements also remained unfinished.
These outcomes suggest that improving officials' understanding of planning, budgeting, and project implementation could directly strengthen village development performance.
Capacity Building Must Reflect Local Conditions
The authors argue that improving governance in remote Papua requires more than distributing village funds. Human resource development must become an equal priority.
According to the researchers from STISIP Yaleka Maro Merauke and Universitas Cenderawasih, effective training should be delivered directly in remote villages rather than requiring officials to travel long distances. They also recommend producing practical guidance using simple language and real village case studies instead of relying solely on formal legal documents. In addition, involving customary leaders in governance training could help align statutory regulations with local traditions that continue to play a central role in community decision-making.
This ethical paraphrase reflects the authors' conclusion that sustainable improvements in village governance depend on combining administrative capacity building with an understanding of local cultural institutions, rather than treating governance solely as a technical process.
Why the Findings Matter
The study offers practical recommendations for Indonesia's Ministry of Home Affairs, regional governments, and village empowerment agencies responsible for implementing the Village Law.
For policymakers, the findings demonstrate that village autonomy depends not only on financial resources but also on the competence of the officials managing public administration. For educators and training providers, the research highlights the importance of designing programs that reflect the realities of geographically isolated communities. For local communities, stronger village governance could improve public services, infrastructure delivery, accountability, and long-term economic development.
Although the study focuses on Kawe Village, the researchers note that similar challenges may exist in other remote villages across Indonesia. They recommend broader comparative studies to determine whether these patterns are shared in different regional contexts.
Author Profile
Marthen Luter O. Wambarop is a researcher in Government Science at the Yaleka Maro College of Social and Political Sciences (STISIP Yaleka Maro Merauke), Indonesia. He collaborated with Jeane Stevani Risdianto, Esau Hombore, Pulung Ariyanto, Antonius Edoardo Mote, Egedius J. Xaverius, and Robertus Pecamuya, all affiliated with the Government Science Study Program at STISIP Yaleka Maro Merauke. The research team also included Beatus Tambaip, a scholar in Public Administration at Universitas Cenderawasih and the corresponding author. Their academic expertise focuses on government studies, public administration, village governance, public policy, and community capacity development.
Source
Article Title: Improving Village Officials' Understanding of Duties and Functions: A Case Study in Kawe Village, Kontuar District, Merauke Regency
Journal: Journal of Social Interactions and Humanities (JSIH)
Publication Year: 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/jsih.v5i2.25
Journal Website: https://journaljsih.my.id/index.php/jsih
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