Unraveling the Complexity of Village Head Term Extension Policy in Indonesia: A Narrative Policy Analysis Approach

Abstract

This research uses Narrative Policy Analysis to study the strategy of extending village chiefs’ terms in Indonesia. The focus is on government and policy-resistant groups. Data was sourced from online documents from January 2011-March 2024. The study found that while extending terms can improve village governance efficiency, it also risks corruption and economic crime due to power imbalances and insufficient monitoring. Counter-narratives highlight these risks. To mitigate them, the study recommends increasing transparency, accountability, community oversight, education, and strict penalty enforcement. Despite the policy’s good intentions, its implementation can lead to corruption and economic crime. Therefore, it must be implemented responsibly and transparently. This study underscores the importance of narrative analysis in understanding and evaluating public policy.