statesIndonesia

StatesIndonesia is not an official administrative term in Indonesia. The country is a unitary republic, and its top-level territorial divisions are 34 provinces (provinsi). The provinces form the regional layer of government within the nation, while the central government in Jakarta holds national authority over defense, foreign policy, monetary policy, and other nationwide matters. Provincial and local governments implement national laws and manage regional development, education, health, infrastructure, and other public services within their jurisdictions.

Each province has a governor and a provincial legislature (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Daerah, DPRD). Provinces are further subdivided into regencies (kabupaten) and cities (kota), which are responsible for local administration and service delivery. Local governments operate under a framework of decentralization that has evolved since the late 1990s, expanding regional autonomy and revenue-sharing to support local development while remaining under national oversight.

Some provinces have special or distinctive status. Aceh enjoys broader autonomous powers reflecting a special autonomy arrangement, including unique governance provisions in certain local matters. Yogyakarta is a Special Region with a constitutional status that gives it a distinct role in regional governance. Jakarta, the capital region, has a special status as the Special Capital Region (Daerah Khusus Ibukota). Papua and West Papua have been granted special autonomy arrangements intended to address regional needs and governance.

Overall, Indonesia’s provincial system reflects a centralized constitutional framework with devolved authorities to provinces and localities, rather than a federation of states. The structure supports regional diversity while maintaining national unity.