Constitutional Limits of Regional Autonomy in Indonesia: A Legal Assessment of Local Government Practice

I Wayan Kandia; I Putu Windu Mertha Sujana; Jhon Pieter Latuconsina; Bagdawansyah Alqadri

doi:10.60153/ijolares.v4i2.380

Authors

I Wayan Kandia Institut Keguruan dan Ilmu Pendidikan Saraswati
I Putu Windu Mertha Sujana Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha
Jhon Pieter Latuconsina Universitas Pattimura
Bagdawansyah Alqadri Universitas Mataram

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.60153/ijolares.v4i2.380

Keywords:

Regional Autonomy, Constitutional Law, Decentralization, Central Regional Relations, Constitutional Compliance

Abstract

Regional autonomy in Indonesia presents a continuing constitutional challenge concerning the balance between regional self-government and central state authority. This study examines whether contemporary local government practices remain within the constitutional limits of regional autonomy, particularly in relation to the distribution of authority and central government supervision. The study concludes that regional autonomy can be constitutionally legitimate when exercised within clear legal boundaries, proportionate supervision, institutional accountability, and safeguards for citizens’ constitutional interests. The findings indicate generally positive perceptions of constitutional compliance (overall mean = 3.60/5.00), although central government supervision received the lowest assessment (mean = 3.46), indicating concerns regarding the boundary between legitimate supervision and excessive intervention. The findings indicate an overall mean assessment of 3.60 out of 5.00, reflecting generally positive perceptions of constitutional compliance. Constitutional authority received the highest mean score of 3.72, while central government supervision received the lowest score of 3.46. The study concludes that regional autonomy can be constitutionally legitimate when exercised within clear legal boundaries, proportionate supervision, institutional accountability, and safeguards for citizens’ constitutional interests. The study contributes a constitutionally bounded autonomy framework that evaluates regional authority through legal authorization, proportional central supervision, institutional accountability, and protection of constitutional interests.

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