Problem of Public Accountability in Village Governance in Rural Enrekang, Indonesia

Abstract

This article examines a range of issues in the implementation of village governance to enhance public accountability. Subsequent to village law, a village now has to deal with how to manage government finances by promoting public accountability knowing that public accountability is the spirit of reviving democracy in village government. This study investigates the practice of village fund governance by collecting qualitative data from 9 villages in Enrekang Regency, South Sulawesi. The villages were randomly selected, one village in 9 sub-districts of 12 sub-districts in Enrekang. There were three primary causes of the lack of public accountability, namely: institutional arrangement, social organizations, and local culture. In practice, each cause has a different impact on determining the level of accountability in a village. It implies that the principles of good governance are still not fully embraced by local villagers and village government.

Collaborative Governance in Nagari Development in Nagari Tigo Balai, Matur District

“…Most of the previous studies examine how good governance and the application of its principles in managing village funds are carried out by every village/nagari in every region in Indonesia. Some of these studies such as; research from; Ikhsan et al (2020); Kuncoro et al (2019); Muhiddin (2017); Nurlinah et al (2018); Ode et al (2020); Sudarmoko (2020);and Triwulandari & Purba (2023). Basically, some of these studies aim to find out the application of the basic principles of good governance in the management of village funds, starting from the planning, implementation, administration, reporting and accountability processes (Ikhsan et al, 2020;Nurlinah et al, 2018).…”

“…Some of these studies such as; research from; Ikhsan et al (2020); Kuncoro et al (2019); Muhiddin (2017); Nurlinah et al (2018); Ode et al (2020); Sudarmoko (2020);and Triwulandari & Purba (2023). Basically, some of these studies aim to find out the application of the basic principles of good governance in the management of village funds, starting from the planning, implementation, administration, reporting and accountability processes (Ikhsan et al, 2020;Nurlinah et al, 2018). Furthermore, research interest in village funds is also focused on several studies on the ability of village/nagari government apparatus human resources in managing the large amount of village fund budgets that are obtained annually by villages/nagari.…”