Reconstruction of the Division of Governmental Affairs in Village Autonomy to Promote the Welfare of Rural Communities

Mustarani; Lina Sinaulan; Erwin Owan Hermansyah

doi:10.38035/sijal.v3i2.326

Authors

Mustarani Universitas Bhayangkara Jakarta Raya, Indonesia
Lina Sinaulan Universitas Bhayangkara Jakarta Raya, Indonesia
Erwin Owan Hermansyah Universitas Bhayangkara Jakarta Raya, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.38035/sijal.v3i2.326

Keywords:

Village Autonomy, Decentralization, Division Of Governmental Affairs, Local Governance, Rural Welfare

Abstract

The implementation of village autonomy in Indonesia has become a cornerstone of decentralization aimed at realizing equitable development and community welfare. However, the division of governmental affairs between central, regional, and village governments remains fragmented, overlapping, and often inconsistent with the principles of subsidiarity and local empowerment. This article critically reconstructs the legal and institutional framework governing the division of governmental affairs in the context of village autonomy. Using a normative juridical research method supported by conceptual and statutory approaches, the study examines the coherence of existing regulations—particularly Law No. 6 of 2014 on Villages—with higher constitutional norms on local self-government. The findings reveal that excessive administrative control by higher levels of government has constrained the village’s autonomy to plan, execute, and finance its own development programs, thereby impeding the realization of welfare-oriented governance at the grassroots level. This paper proposes a reconstruction model that redefines the functional distribution of authority based on the principles of proportionality, subsidiarity, and participatory governance. Strengthening village autonomy through a clearer division of governmental affairs will enhance local accountability, encourage community-based innovation, and promote sustainable rural welfare as envisioned in the Indonesian Constitution.

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