Hence, we need to establish more independent villages.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration Minister Abdul Halim Iskandar drew attention to the fact that the number of independent villages had increased in 2021.

“According to the Village Building Index (IDM), there were 3,269 independent villages in 2021, an increase as compared to 1,741 independent villages in 2020," the minister noted in a written statement here on Wednesday.

Iskandar assessed that the achievement was driven by the implementation of Law Number 6 of 2014 on Villages.

Furthermore, the minister highlighted that an independent village was one with proper access to fulfill basic needs, adequate infrastructure, as well as good public services and governance.

Iskandar remarked that the village must also have a Village Development Index (IPD) of more than 75 out of a scale of 100.

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In addition, he stated that IDM was a tool to measure the acceleration in village development.

"The IDM comprises the Social Resilience Index (IKS), the Economic Resilience Index (IKE), and the Environmental Resilience Index (IKL),” he remarked.

The assessment aims to transform 51.2 percent of the 74,961 villages across Indonesia to become Independent Villages by 2024, he affirmed.

“Hence, we need to establish more independent villages. One of the attempts is through the smart village program," he remarked.

The minister noted that smart villages depended on the implementation of the Internet of Things (IoT).

However, Iskandar emphasized that it should be in harmony with the village traditions and culture, so that village development is equitable and in accordance with the dynamics of the rural communities.

"The success in updating the 2021 IDM is the result of our joint collaboration, including professional and government assistants from the village to the center as well as the community, private sector, academics, military, police, and the prosecutor’s office that have strived to conduct their respective tasks," he added.

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Translator: Zubi Mahrofi, Uyu Liman
Editor: Suharto
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