DPD Ensures Regional Aspirations Accommodated in Archipelagic Regions Bill

The Regional Representative Council (DPD) has confirmed that the aspirations of archipelagic local governments are being incorporated into the drafting of the Archipelagic Regions Bill. Key issues such as fiscal justice, asymmetric autonomy, and the management of coastal areas are being formulated to ensure the regulation meets the specific needs of island communities.

Andi Sofyan Hasdam, Chair of the DPD Working Team for the Archipelagic Regions Bill, stated that the bill aims to serve as a lex specialis. He emphasized that the current national fiscal policy is unfair to island regions because the General Allocation Fund (DAU) formulation only calculates land area, ignoring the expanse of the sea. ‘We hope this bill becomes a lex specialis. We want asymmetric autonomy. When formulating the DAU, the sea area must also be measured, not just the land,’ he said in a written statement on Monday (20/7/2026).

Hasdam noted that the bill’s discussion is progressing positively, with all eight factions in the House of Representatives (DPR) agreeing to its deliberation. While the government has requested harmonization to avoid overlapping regulations, he revealed that the Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas) is strongly pushing for the bill’s immediate realization.

During a working visit to Batam, Riau Islands Governor Ansar Ahmad highlighted the challenges faced by the province, including budget limitations, inter-regional connectivity, and access to basic services. He expressed hope that the bill would bring fiscal justice by including sea area and the number of islands in the regional funding formula. Batam Mayor Amsakar Achmad echoed this sentiment, noting that the current spending formula, which relies solely on land area, has led to development disparities that the new bill must address.