ASYMMETRIC DECENTRALIZATION AND THE CHALLENGES OF REGIONAL AUTONOMY: A STUDY OF WEST SUMATRA IN THE CONTEXT OF CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL WELFARE

Abstract

Asymmetric decentralization is a strategy that provides more power to specific areas according to their unique traits and requirements. In West Sumatra, asymmetric decentralization respects the distinctiveness of Minangkabau culture and local knowledge by providing local governments with greater power to handle local issues. Nonetheless, its execution continues to encounter difficulties, including significant fiscal reliance on the central government, redundant policies, and insufficient regional institutional capabilities. In this research, the authors examine how asymmetric decentralization affects regional autonomy in West Sumatra, focusing on the viewpoints of central government policies, community involvement, and management of local resources. The expectation is that by reinforcing decentralization principles, improving cooperation between national and local governments, and following the tenets of fiscal equity, West Sumatra can attain a more efficient and sustainable regional autonomy while preserving national unity in the face of cultural diversity