On Monday (July 28, 2025), the Faculty of Law at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) held an Open Doctoral Defense in Legal Science in Room 3.1.1 of Building III. During this session, Gunawan A. Tauda, S.H., LL.M., successfully defended his dissertation titled “Asymmetric Decentralization and the Establishment of the Nusantara Capital Special Region,” a topic relevant to the current transformation of Indonesia’s government.
This dissertation focuses on two main issues, namely: (a) whether the regulations regarding the Nusantara Capital City Special Region are in accordance with the provisions on regional government in the 1945 Constitution; and (b) what are the legal implications of the regulations on the Nusantara Capital City Special Region for the administration of regional government?
In this study, Gunawan A. Tauda raises the important issue of whether the regulations concerning the Nusantara Capital City Special Region are in accordance with the provisions on regional government in the 1945 Constitution, provided that the relationship between Article 18 and Article 18B is interpreted as being autonomous or equal, with neither article subordinate to the other, and neither in a position to be in conflict with the other.
As a new variable in asymmetric decentralization, the National Capital City (IKN) has clear distinctions from other regions, thereby giving rise to both direct and indirect legal implications for the administration of local government. According to [Researcher’s Name], ideally, Article 18, paragraph (1) of the 1945 Constitution should be amended through the Fifth Amendment, given that the level of conformity between the regulations governing the IKN and Article 18 is not ideal. Furthermore, given the strategic role of the National Capital, its regulations should be explicitly stipulated in the 1945 Constitution.
This doctoral defense was attended by Dahliana Hasan, S.H., M.Tax., Ph.D., as chair of the examining committee, and Prof. Dr. Mailinda Eka Yuniza, S.H., LL.M., Dr. Andi Sandi Antonius T.T., S.H., LL.M., Prof. Dr. Wahyudi Kumorotomo, M.P.P. (Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, UGM), Dr. AAGN Ari Dwipayana, M.Si. (Department of Political Science, UGM) as members of the examination committee, as well as Andy Omara, S.H., M.Pub&Int.Law., Ph.D., as the supervisor, and Prof. Dr. Ni’matul Huda, S.H., M.Hum. (Faculty of Law, UII) as the co-supervisor.
This scholarly work contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 on Quality Education and SDG 16 on Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. Through in-depth academic research, Gunawan demonstrates how higher education can foster critical thinking that directly impacts governance policies.
This success also demonstrates the role of the UGM Faculty of Law in facilitating strategic research relevant to national policy issues. Through academic activities such as this, UGM continues to strengthen its position as an institution that contributes to shaping innovative and sustainable public policy thinking. Gunawan’s dissertation is expected to spur broader discussion regarding models of decentralization and the development of Indonesia’s new capital city.
Author: Alexandra Lisa (Part-Time Staff, PDIH)
