MPR Assessment Body Explores Decentralisation Implementation with Unhas Experts
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The MPR RI Research Body (BP MPR) is conducting an in-depth study on the implementation of decentralisation alongside experts from Hasanuddin University (Unhas) as part of its review of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia.
Deputy Chair of the BP MPR, Hindun Anisah, stated that the forum is expected to enrich perspectives regarding the effectiveness of decentralisation in addressing community needs and constitutional dynamics.
“The BP MPR RI aims to obtain profound input, regarding constitutional norms, regulations, and the practices of regional government administration. All views presented in this forum will serve as essential material in drafting study recommendations,” she said in a statement received in Jakarta on Wednesday.
According to Hindun, several strategic issues require continuous investigation, including the balance of authority between central and regional governments, central-regional financial relations, equitable development, village strengthening, the recognition of customary law communities, and the quality of local democracy.
Decentralisation, she added, must be positioned as an instrument to bring public services closer to the people, strengthen community participation, develop regional potential, and maintain the integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.
“Decentralisation is not merely about the division of authority. What is more important is ensuring that such authority is capable of improving the quality of public services and community welfare,” she said.
The BP MPR held a focus group discussion themed ‘Decentralisation, Regional Autonomy, Local Government, and Villages’ in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Tuesday (7/7).
Presenting as speakers were Professor Sangkala, Professor of FISIP Unhas; Professor Nursini, Professor of the Faculty of Economics and Business, Hasanuddin University; and academic from Politeknik STIA LAN Makassar, Muhammad Idris.
In his presentation, Sangkala emphasised that decentralisation and regional autonomy must remain within the framework of Pancasila, constitutional democracy, and the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.
He noted that regional autonomy is not a form of dividing sovereignty, but rather a mechanism to bring services closer, strengthen participation, and accommodate the social, cultural, and geographical diversity of the regions.
“Decentralisation must be implemented consistently to strengthen public services and welfare, without diminishing the principle of national unity,” he said.
Meanwhile, Nursini highlighted the importance of evaluating the financial relationship between the central and regional governments.
She explained that fiscal decentralisation is not an end in itself, but an instrument to ensure that regional governments have the capacity to fund public services, develop local economies, and improve community welfare.
“The financial relationship between the centre and the regions cannot be viewed solely through the lens of transfer amounts. What needs attention is whether these transfers are capable of strengthening regional fiscal capacity, improving the quality of spending, and producing a real impact on the community,” she said.
On the other hand, Muhammad Idris stated that the primary issue with decentralisation lies not in the relevance of regional autonomy principles, but in sub-optimal implementation, institutional capacity, cross-government coordination, and the quality of regional leadership.
He emphasised that the devolution of authority must be accompanied by the strengthening of fiscal capacity, the quality of civil servants (ASN), planning systems, institutions, talent management, as well as effective guidance and supervision mechanisms.
“Do not merely transfer authority without building regional capacity. Decentralisation will be effective if the central government is strong in guidance, standards, and supervision, while the regions are strong in innovation and solving local problems,” he said.
Input from various speakers and members of the BP MPR in this forum will be compiled as material for written studies and policy recommendations.