Archipelagic Regions Bill Enters Tripartite Talks, Prabowo Optimistic for Swift Completion

The long struggle by the Regional Representative Council (DPD RI) to deliver development justice for communities in archipelagic regions has entered a crucial phase. The Archipelagic Regions Bill, an initiative proposed by the DPD RI, has now entered tripartite discussions with the House of Representatives (DPR RI) and the government. President Prabowo Subianto expressed optimism that the bill will be completed soon, opening the opportunity for a new milestone in equitable development as well as an important legacy of the current administration for island communities. The optimism was conveyed by President Prabowo during the 2026 Joint Session of the DPR RI and DPD RI at the Nusantara Building, Parliament Complex, Jakarta, on Friday (14/8). Prabowo specifically mentioned the DPD RI’s struggle for the Archipelagic Regions Bill, which has now entered tripartite discussions with the DPR RI and the government. During the Joint Session, Prabowo explained that the DPD RI had gathered 10,883 aspirations from 38 provinces and brought them into dialogue with the government, including the Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas) and relevant ministries, as input for the 2027 Government Work Plan. Prabowo also specifically emphasised that the Archipelagic Regions Bill initiated by the DPD RI has been discussed in a tripartite format and is targeted for swift completion. ‘The DPD RI also continues to fight for the Archipelagic Regions Bill, which has now entered tripartite discussions with the DPR and the government. God willing, it will be completed,’ Prabowo stated. Regarding this development, DPD RI Speaker Sultan B Najamudin said the progress represents an important moment in the DPD RI’s struggle, which has consistently proposed the Archipelagic Regions Bill since 2017. After nearly nine years of advocacy in every National Legislation Programme, the bill finally entered the 2026 Priority National Legislation Programme and is now in the discussion stage with the DPR RI and the government. ‘For almost nine years, since 2017, the DPD RI has proposed the Archipelagic Regions Bill in every National Legislation Programme, year after year, tirelessly. That long struggle has now borne fruit. The bill has officially entered the 2026 Priority National Legislation Programme,’ Sultan explained. For Sultan, this development shows that regional aspirations championed through the DPD RI can move forward to become a national policy agenda. The Archipelagic Regions Bill is not only related to the needs of one region but is an effort to present a development approach that matches Indonesia’s character as an archipelagic state. According to him, national development must be able to reach all regions more fairly, including small islands, outermost and underdeveloped areas, and border regions. Therefore, the existence of specific regulations regarding archipelagic regions is needed so that geographical character, connectivity challenges, basic service needs, and regional potential can become part of national policy considerations. Sultan explained that the DPD RI’s position is strategic in this struggle because the institution represents regional communities at the central level. He affirmed that the DPD RI’s work does not stop at gathering aspirations but articulates them through legislative, oversight, consideration, and representation functions so that the needs of regional communities can be translated into national policy. Sultan appreciated the translated support from Prabowo and the DPR RI for the commencement of the Archipelagic Regions Bill discussions. He believes this momentum must be utilised to ensure the discussions produce regulations that truly provide affirmation for the needs of island communities and accelerate equitable development. He further expressed hope that the tripartite discussions can proceed constructively to produce a law capable of strengthening the position of archipelagic regions in national development. For the DPD RI, the completion of this bill will be proof that the struggle for regional representation can result in policy changes that have a direct impact on society. Sultan is even optimistic that the Archipelagic Regions Bill could become one of the important milestones of the Prabowo administration in delivering development justice.