An RT group, the lowest level in the government structure, consists of a cluster of neighboring
households. The head of an RT is a non-governmental official. His duty is to take care of his
group, organize government-sponsored activities and act as the mediator between the
government and the people. In Toisapu, for example, the RTs comprise 43 households. There
is an RT level savings program and the leaders also motivate people to cultivate animals or
productive plants (e.g., bananas) in their yards. Another activity is to clean up public facilities.
According to law, a head of an RT holds the position for three years.
Fishery problems, such as blast fishing, are usually reported by the RT leader to the police (in
particular, the Water Police Squad), either directly or via the village head. Extension programs
from the Fisheries Agency (Dinas Perikanan) are provided through village and dusun
governments, but may be carried out at the RT level.
The village income, as well as the subsidies meant for the various government organizations,
is allocated through the national, district and sub-district levels. Every village carries out
development programs, working within guidelines set at the national level. Village programs
are controlled and have to be approved by higher government levels. The village government
arranges the program, chooses the leaders and presents a list of potential members for approval
to the district government. After approval, the participants are informed of their membership
and tasks. This paternalistic approach is accepted as normal in the current state structure.
Many programs aim to improve the livelihoods of the village population. Other programs
aim to unite village groups and carry out activities that underline the principles of the state
ideology, Pancasila, such as care for the less able and poor in the village. There is little room
for local initiatives or creativity in development programming.
4.4 Government-Related Organizations
4.4.1 PKK
The PKK is a women’s organization initiated in the 1980s to complement the new government
structure. The PKK is an abbreviation for Pendidikan Kesejahteran Keluarga which means literally
“Education for the Prosperity of the Household”. It is a vehicle for the wives of the village
(government) leaders to improve the welfare of Indonesian families. The group operates under
the leadership of the wife of the village head. A vice-chairlady, a secretary and a treasurer assist
her. The village head selects all these officials. Each village PKK is divided into dusun-level
groups. The aim is to improve family life in the spheres of economy and peace. Membership is
open but generally includes mainly teachers and civil servants; common village women often
have no time, or feel inferior to the wealthy women in the village, and are not welcome.
The PKK is subsidized by the sub-district via the village government. The aim of PKK is to
build prosperous families through 1) saving money (ARISAN), 2) skills training (baking,
cooking, sewing), 3) growing medicinal plants, 4) chicken breeding, 5) cultivation of vegetables,
6) dried fish and fruit trade, 7) child care, and 8) the promotion of the state ideology (Pancasila).
The national government dictates programs that are then passed down through provincial,
district and sub-district levels to the villages. The villages can select activities from the program
and submit a proposal (Figure 4.2). After approval, a budget will be allocated and if necessary,
an expert will be sent to assist with the activities. There is no room for local initiatives and
decision-making is highly centralized.
Village Level Socio-Political Context 39