Although separate from the local government, the KUD is influenced by village politics. The
general objective of the KUD is to improve the prosperity of its members and the village. The
main trade products of many KUDs are cloves, and to a lesser extent, nutmegs. Other
enterprises such as the operation of speedboats, minibuses and small shops are also often in
the hands of the KUD. The shops are open to all villagers and provide primary goods, such as
rice, sugar and cooking oil, at reduced prices. In some villages, the KUD takes care of the
billing for the Electricity Company or is involved in gasoline retail. For its members, the KUD
has a savings and credit system and may provide access to machinery such as coconut grinders.
The income derived from the activities is used for salaries, production costs, village
development, and the development of the KUD itself.
Occasionally, the KUD is involved in fisheries-related activities. In Nolloth, for example, the
KUD plays an important role in organizing top shell harvests and selling the yields. In
Hutumuri, the KUD is developing a fisheries unit.
Membership in the KUD is high compared to that of other village organizations. In Nolloth,
for instance, there are 500 members. To become a member, one has to be an Indonesian national,
have an ID card, and pay a monthly fee of Rp500-Rp1,000. There is also an initial membership
fee of Rp5,000-Rp25,000 (depending on the village). After deducting costs from revenues, the
members get an annual (percentage) share of the profit depending on their activities. For
instance, the earnings are higher for people who shop consistently at the KUD store. An annual
meeting is held in December. Members are recruited through general announcements. KUD
officials are selected and elected every five years. There are two possible electoral systems.
In the direct system, the members choose and elect their officials. In the indirect system, the
members compile a list of candidates from which the head office in Ambon makes the selection.
Ideas from members can be dropped into a suggestion box or put forth during the annual
meeting. Suggestions sent through the suggestion box are discussed in monthly executive
meetings. If a suggestion supports the annual program as decided in the annual meeting and
the field conditions are right, the suggestion will be accepted and implemented directly. Ideas
deemed to be important for the future development of enterprises will be put forward in the
next annual meeting. Members thus have a voice and the structure appears more democratic
and decentralized than most village organizations.
4.6 Church Organizations
4.6.1 Church hierarchy
Protestant Christianity was introduced to Maluku during the Dutch colonial time. The role of
the Protestant Church of Maluku (GPM) is still prominent. Executives who control programs
and funding form the Synod in Ambon. Below this is the Klasis office in Saparua, which covers
the Lease Islands. The Klasis instructs at the congregation level and they communicate with
the local church branches. Communication from one level to the other is through meetings.
To obtain funding, the village church submits a yearly program proposal to the Synod. The
time required to get a proposal approved is approximately one year.
In predominantly Christian villages, the GPM has a strong influence on the people. The relationship
between the church and village government is often very tight. Announcements on village activities,
e.g., cleaning up the village, fence building etc., are made through the church by church elders.
42 An Institutional Analysis of Sasi Laut in Maluku, Indonesia