MPR Assessment Body Gathers Input on Decentralisation and Customary Law in Makassar Forum
The MPR RI Assessment Body continues to gather various inputs regarding the implementation of decentralisation and regional autonomy in Indonesia. This effort was carried out through a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) themed ‘Decentralisation, Regional Autonomy, Regional Government, and Villages’ held by the body’s Group III in Makassar, South Sulawesi. The forum is part of a comprehensive study of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia and its implementation, specifically concerning the relationship between central and regional governments, regional autonomy, village governance, and customary law communities.
Hindun Anisah, Vice Chair of the MPR RI Assessment Body and Coordinator of Group III, stated that the forum was held to enrich perspectives on the effectiveness of decentralisation in meeting community needs and the dynamics of Indonesia’s state administration. ‘The MPR RI Assessment Body seeks to obtain in-depth input, not only regarding constitutional norms but also regulations and the practice of regional government administration,’ she said in a written statement on Wednesday (8/7/2026). She emphasised that decentralisation must be positioned as an instrument to bring public services closer to the people, strengthen community participation, develop regional potential, and simultaneously maintain the integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI). ‘Decentralisation is not merely about the division of authority. The more important aspect is ensuring that this authority can improve the quality of public services and community welfare,’ she added.
Prof. Dr. Sangkala, a Professor at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences at Hasanuddin University, assessed that decentralisation and regional autonomy must remain within the framework of Pancasila, constitutional democracy, and the NKRI. He argued that regional autonomy is not a division of sovereignty but a mechanism to bring public services closer to the people, strengthen community participation, and accommodate the social, cultural, and geographical diversity of the regions. ‘Decentralisation needs to be implemented consistently to strengthen public services and welfare, without reducing the principle of national unity,’ he explained. He also stressed the need to strengthen the position of villages, protect customary villages, and structure local democracy to better reflect the values of deliberation, representation, and social justice.
Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Nursini, a Professor at the Faculty of Economics and Business at Hasanuddin University, highlighted the importance of evaluating the financial relationship between the central and regional governments. She noted that fiscal decentralisation is not an end goal but an instrument to enable regional governments to finance public services, develop local economies, and improve community welfare. ‘The central-regional financial relationship cannot be judged solely by the size of transfers. What must be observed is whether these transfers strengthen regional fiscal capacity, improve spending quality, and produce real impacts for the community,’ she said. She explained that regional fiscal capacity remains highly varied, with revenue structures still dominated by central government transfers, while the average contribution of Regional Own-Source Revenue (PAD) nationally is only around 22.85 percent. Fiscal justice, she argued, cannot be interpreted as equal budget distribution, as policies must consider geographical conditions, population, poverty levels, and public service costs.
Dr. Muhammad Idris DP, an academic from the Polytechnic of State Administration (STIA LAN) Makassar, argued that the main issue with decentralisation is no longer the principle of regional autonomy but rather its implementation, institutional capacity, cross-government coordination, and the quality of regional leadership. He stated that the transfer of authority must be accompanied by strengthened fiscal capacity, improved quality of the state civil apparatus (ASN), and effective planning and supervisory systems. ‘Do not just transfer authority without building the region’s capacity. Decentralisation will be effective if the central government is strong in guidance, standards, and supervision, while regions are strong in innovation and solving local problems,’ he said. He urged that the evaluation of regional success should move beyond budget absorption and administrative compliance towards measuring real impacts on the community, such as improvements in education, poverty reduction, and access to clean water and healthcare.