MPR Research Body Holds FGD to Discuss Decentralisation to Regional Autonomy
Group III of the MPR RI Research Body once again held a focus group discussion (FGD) with experts and specialists. The FGD addressed the theme of decentralisation, regional autonomy, local government, and village governance.
This FGD by Group III of the MPR Research Body featured three speakers: Prof. Andi Muhammad Asrun (Professor of Constitutional Law at Pakuan University/Judicial Commission Member), Ida Budhiati (KPU Commissioner for 2012-2017/DKPP Commissioner for 2017-2022 and Election and Regional Election Expert at Bhayangkara Jakarta Raya University), and Vid Adrison (Academic from the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Indonesia).
The FGD, held in Bogor on Wednesday (15/4), was attended by MPR Research Body members, including Hindun Anisah (Head of the Research Body and moderator of the FGD), Kamrussamad (Gerindra Party Faction), H.T. Ibrahim (Democrat Party Faction), Sularso (DPD Group), Sigit Purnomo (PAN Faction), K.H. Maman Imanul Haq (PKB Faction), Zainul Munasichin (PKB Faction), and Jialyka Maharani (DPD Group).
In her opening remarks, Hindun stated that decentralisation and regional autonomy are strategic instruments in realising democratic, effective, and just governance. Since the reform era, these policies have brought significant changes in the relationship between central and local governments, particularly in the division of authority, resource management, and public service delivery.
“However, in practice, various challenges remain that require deeper study. One main issue is the suboptimal balance of authority between central and local governments, which in some cases causes policy overlaps and regulatory disharmony,” she said in a written statement on Thursday (16/4/2026).
Other issues, Hindun continued, include national development still facing inter-regional disparities, both between western and eastern regions, and between urban and rural areas. “This means that decentralisation in practice has not been able to optimally drive equitable development,” she said.
Hindun added that from a fiscal perspective, financial relations between central and local governments also face various challenges, from local fiscal independence, dependence on central transfers, to fairness in budget distribution.
“Moreover, current facts such as cuts in transfers to regions present additional challenges we face,” she stated.
Regarding local and village government, Hindun emphasised the important role of local and village governments. Villages are governmental entities with a strategic position in supporting inclusive and sustainable national development.
“But if we look at the constitution, Article 18 does not explicitly mention ‘village’. So the term ‘village’ is not in the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia. We need to discuss whether Article 18 is sufficiently representative and whether it needs to be explicitly stated,” she said.
Furthermore, Hindun added that local democracy was also a focus of this Group III MPR Research Body FGD, given various issues such as high political costs, potential social conflicts, and the need to continuously improve community participation quality. “In our initial view, some of these issues are not solely in constitutional norms but also in policy design and implementation. Thus, we need to think about the right strategies so that implementation aligns with the constitution,” she added.
Amendment to Article 18
Ida Budhiati said there are several factors related to decentralisation and regional autonomy: first, the institutional design of the Regional Representative Council (DPD) because according to the constitution, the DPD is a balancer in the legislative branch representing regional representatives in national policy-making, especially related to regional autonomy and central-local financial balance.
Second, institutional design related to the procedure for filling positions (election of regional heads), and third, related to village governance.
“In my view, the DPD must be maintained. The design to strengthen the implementation of decentralisation and regional autonomy is that the DPD’s institution must be further strengthened,” she said.
Regarding the filling of regional head and deputy regional head positions, according to Ida Budhiati, given Indonesia’s diversity and the uniqueness of each region, the constitution opens space for policies on how to fill regional head positions asymmetrically.
“To strengthen the presidential system and effective, efficient governance, provincial government is an extension of the central government. Thus, the filling of positions is not the same as the autonomy given at the regency/city level. Therefore, in my opinion, a constitutional amendment is needed regarding the norms of Article 18 of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia,” she explained.
“Because it is an extension of the central government, it could be elected through the DPRD. From a technical aspect, the election design involves strong community participation. And because we adhere to a democratic political system, it is hoped that local governments also foster a democratic climate, so the filling of positions at the regency/city level is done directly,” she continued.
Meanwhile, Andi Muhammad Asrun acknowledged the discourse on electing regional heads through parliament. From various surveys, respondents reject that discourse. However, from various studies, regional head elections cause problems, namely high costs and corruption behind them due to the need for return on investment.
“I think it can be bridged. For example, a model is made where the regional head is elected by the provincial or regency/city parliament (DPRD). But other elements must be included, such as local social institutions or forming a selection team in the region consisting of experts or community figures