Camat

Camat is an Indonesian civil servant who serves as the head of a kecamatan, the subdistrict level of government within a Kabupaten (district) or Kota (city). The subdistrict comprises several desa (rural villages) and kelurahan (urban communities). The camat acts as the representative of the regent or mayor in the kecamatan and serves as the primary link between district government and local communities.

The camat is responsible for the administration, development planning, and public services at the kecamatan level. Key duties include coordinating and supervising programs across desa/kelurahan, guiding the performance of subdistrict offices, facilitating inter-agency cooperation, and promoting public order and social welfare within the subdistrict. The camat also plays a role in facilitating reporting on village development and representing the government in local affairs.

In their role, camat work under the authority of the regent or mayor and are accountable to the regional secretary and relevant district or city agencies. They are typically appointed and dismissed by the regent or mayor with suitable formal recommendations and oversight.

Historically and in contemporary practice, camat serve as central figures in implementing national and provincial policies at the local level, ensuring coordination among various level of government and communities. The position is part of the broader administrative framework that supports local governance, development, and service delivery across Indonesia’s diverse regions.