Gov’t Issues Regulation on Underdeveloped Regions

Ministry of Village, Development of Underdeveloped Regions and Transmigration.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on 27 April, 2020 signed Presidential Regulation (Perpres) Number 63 of 2020 on Determination of Underdeveloped Regions in 2020-2024.

(Link: https://jdih.setkab.go.id/PUUdoc/176108/Perpres_Nomor_63_Tahun_2020.pdf)

The Regulation aims to implement the provision of Article 6 paragraph (3) of Government Regulation Number 78 of 2014 on the Acceleration of Development of Underdeveloped Regions.

The Presidential Regulation defines the underdeveloped regions as regency whose regions and communities are less developed compared to other regions on a national scale. The Regulation also stipulates that the Minister in the Regulation is a Minister who is responsible for Government affairs in development of the underdeveloped regions.

“A region is determined as the underdeveloped region based on the following criteria: a. economy of the communities; b. human resources; c. facilities and infrastructure; d. regional financial capacity; e. accessibility; and f. regional characteristics,” Article 2 paragraph (1) of the Regulation reads.

The Regulation also stipulates that the Government determines the underdeveloped regions at the national level every 5 (five) years, based on the criteria, indicators and sub-indicators of regional underdevelopment proposed by the Minister by involving relevant ministries/institutions and regional governments.

The Regulation regulates that the President may determine new underdeveloped regions in the event of: a. formation, expansion, and merging of regency areas; or b. measures to overcome extraordinary circumstances, conflict, or natural disasters.

The Minister, according to the Regulation, should evaluate the underdeveloped regions periodically in accordance with the planning period for the Acceleration of Development of the Underdeveloped Regions.

The aforementioned evaluation is carried out using the following methods: a. composite index calculation; and b. qualitative analysis, carried out by the Minister by involving other relevant ministries/institutions.

“The Presidential Regulation shall come into force as of the date of its promulgation,” Article 7 of the Regulation reads. The Regulation was promulgated by Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna Laoly on 29 April 2020. (EN)

Translated by: Ridwan Ibadurrohman
Reviewed by: Lulu Wuliarti