"Villages need assistance, including one related to legal matters. This is crucial, considering that legal issues in villages, despite being simple in nature, could become complicated," he noted in a statement received in Jakarta on Sunday.
Speaking at the focus group discussion on the formulation of the policy brief draft of village legal assistance in Jombang, East Java, on December 9, the minister said that villages have been facing numerous legal issues.
However, he added, only a handful of rural people have received proper legal assistance due to various reasons, such as ignorance and inability.
"I would like to thank the Strategic Policy Unit (SPU) team at the Village PDTT Ministry for completing the formulation of the policy brief. This is very important," he remarked.
Iskandar further affirmed that legal assistance for villages will not only be provided in the form of advocacy during legal disputes, as it will also serve as a measure for preventing disputes as well as educating people about legal matters.
"The legal assistance will focus on legal literacy, mitigation, and litigation. The assistance is also expected to help village apparatus act more mindfully and accurately in utilizing the Village Fund and managing village assets," he stated.
The minister then expressed hope that, by providing legal assistance, the government would succeed in assisting villages in resolving and mitigating problems.
In his speech, he also noted that the ministry's SPU team is tasked with improving the living standards of the people, especially those inhabiting the eastern part of Indonesia.
"Even though the team is tasked with focusing on eastern Indonesia, it has also implemented their duties in Jombang, Jember, Madiun, and other regions for the sake of developing villages in general. Thank you," he addressed the SPU team.
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Translator: Zubi Mahrofi, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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