Brief History

Ministry of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions

The Ministry of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions is a government ministry responsible for managing village affairs, which fall under the scope of domestic governance, as well as overseeing the development of disadvantaged regions. This ministry operates under and is accountable to the President.

The ministry is headed by the Minister of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration. From October 27, 2014, this position was held by Mr. Marwan Ja'far. In 2016, the leadership was passed on to Mr. Eko Putro Sandjojo.

Based on Presidential Decree of the Republic of Indonesia Number 113/P of 2019 concerning the Formation of State Ministries and the Appointment of State Ministers for the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet for the 2019–2024 term, the ministry has been led by Mr. Abdul Halim Iskandar.

Under Presidential Regulation of the Republic of Indonesia Number 171 of 2024 regarding the Ministry of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions in the Red and White Cabinet of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the ministry is now led by Mr. Yandri Susanto as the Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions.

Four Phases of the Ministry of Villages

• Phase 1: The Ministry for the Acceleration of Development in Eastern Indonesia was established during the Gotong Royong Cabinet under President Megawati Soekarnoputri.
• Phase 2: During President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s administration, the ministry was renamed to the Ministry for the Acceleration of Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and later became the Ministry of Development of Disadvantaged Regions.
• Phase 3: Under President Joko Widodo’s administration in the Working Cabinet, the ministry was again renamed to the Ministry of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration.
• Phase 4: Under President Prabowo Subianto's administration in the Red and White Cabinet, the ministry was renamed to the Ministry of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions.