MPR Discusses with Academics to Find Solutions for Regional Autonomy Challenges

The People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) of the Republic of Indonesia held a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with academics to seek solutions for the current challenges facing regional autonomy. The discussion, organised by MPR’s Assessment Body Group III, centred on the theme “Decentralisation, Regional Autonomy, Regional Government, and Villages.”

Hindun Anisah, Chair of Group III of the MPR Assessment Body, stated that the implementation of decentralisation and regional autonomy still faces various challenges, such as developmental disparities, the governance capacity of regional administrations, and the relationship and coordination between central and regional governments.

“I hope this discussion can produce constructive recommendations, both to strengthen decentralisation policies and to improve regional governance oriented towards public services and community welfare,” Hindun said in a statement received in Jakarta on Friday.

She noted that decentralisation and regional autonomy are important instruments for administering a democratic and effective government. Through regional autonomy, she said, regional governments have the space to develop local potential and improve the quality of services to the public.

However, the current issues are no longer solely about the division of authority or the holding of regional head elections. They now also involve new challenges such as digital transformation, artificial intelligence, climate change, urbanisation, socio-economic developments, and global geopolitical dynamics.

Hindun warned that if the design of central-regional relations established during the 1998 Reform era is not evaluated, it may no longer be capable of addressing the challenges of the 21st century. “The hope is that the relationship between the central and regional governments becomes a conception that is able to maintain national integration, bring government services closer to the community, improve the quality of public services, and enhance government efficiency, among other goals,” she said.

Therefore, she emphasised the need for an evaluation covering both policy implementation and institutional design, including relevant laws and the constitution. “Excessive authority at the central government level, while regions have limited space, is part of the decentralisation problem. Additionally, a lack of respect for local entities is also an issue,” she concluded.