Judul: Menyeimbangkan Pertumbuhan Regional, Pemerataan, dan Kewilayahan: Dilema Desentralisasi dalam Pembangunan Indonesia
Abstrak: The implementation of fiscal decentralization has been going on for more than two decades in Indonesia, but the issue of economic inequality between regions continues to be the main focus. Regions that are rich in resources or experiencing rapid growth tend to outperform other regions. The central government responded to this challenge by allocating funds through a fiscal decentralization scheme. This research explores the dynamics of 509 districts/cities from 2015 to 2022 to understand the condition of inequality in Indonesia. The main focus is on factors that influence per capita income, both conventionally and spatially, as well as their direct and indirect effects. The research also seeks to identify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the models that have been developed. In evaluating inequality between regions, the Theil and Williamson index is used as a guide. Conventional modeling is carried out through panel data analysis, while spatial modeling is implemented through various spatial panel data models such as Spatial Autoregressive (SAR), Spatial Error Model (SEM), Spatial Autocorrelation Error Model (SAC/SARAR), dan Spatial Durbin Model (SDM), complete with direct and indirect impacts. A similar approach was applied to assess the impact of COVID-19 by dividing the data into two conditions, before and after the pandemic. The research findings illustrate the disparities in per capita income that still occur, especially in the Western Territory of Indonesia (KBI), especially Java and Kalimantan. Of the various fiscal decentralization instruments and variables used, only four factors were proven to significantly influence per capita income in the conventional Fixed Effect model, namely profit sharing funds (DBH), special autonomy and adjustment funds (DOPS), number of hospital facilities (HOPITAL), and domestic investment (INVEST), with DBH emerging as the most influential factor. Further findings indicate the existence of a spatial influence on per capita income, with the SDM being the best model showing a positive relationship. However, SDM also brings complexity, where DBH, although contributing directly to an area's income, has a negative impact on surrounding areas due to inefficiencies in the allocation system. This highlights the need for a more careful approach in designing and implementing fiscal decentralization policies. Amid these findings, policymakers are encouraged to adopt a three-step approach. First, to reduce the income gap between the West and East regions, the central government needs to understand the unique challenges of each region and implement asymmetric policies. Second, the DBH allocation system needs to receive a thorough review in order to minimize negative impacts and increase overall regional economic efficiency. Additionally, creating an enabling environment for domestic investment, perhaps through incentive policies, could further stimulate economic activity and contribute to a more balanced and resilient economy. Third, the government needs to encourage public participation in monitoring and criticizing the use of the expenditure budget so that it is of higher quality and transparency through the Satu Data Indonesia website. Apart from gaining real-time control from the community, the central government can also more easily monitor the quality of regional spending., Penerapan desentralisasi fiskal telah berlangsung selama lebih dari dua dekade di Indonesia, namun isu ketidaksetaraan ekonomi antarwilayah terus
Keyword: decentralization, spatial, disparities, spillover, desentralisasi, spasial, ketimpangan, efek limpahan