Judul: The study of fiscal policy to overcome regional inequalty in Indonesia
Abstrak: In the past decade Indonesia has witnessed an increase in regional income inequality. The inequality causes government capital expenditure in poor regions has an effect that is far from optimal to regional GDP. To maximize this, we argue the need to increase the capital expenditure by regional government in poor regions. An increase in income inequality induces an income gap between rich and poor regions. The installment of hold harmless rule adds to an increase in regional inequality. In decentralization era, General Allocation Fund (also known as Dana Alokasi Umum (DAU)), has primary function to minimize the gap between rich and poor regions. The general objective of this study is to analyze regional inequality and find some fiscal policy that could be used to address the inequality issue. In specific, this study analyzes the determinants of regional government capital goods, regional GDP and regional inequality. In addition to that, this study also aims to find an alternative formula for the DAU to strengthen its function as equalization grants. We use panel data regression at the provincial level that spans between 2001-2010 to find the determinants of regional government capital goods, regional GDP and regional inequality. In addition to panel data regression, we also use correlation analysis between actual DAU, revision DAU and Shah’s DAU (2012) with regional GDP per capita to infer which of the formula could serve DAU true purpose. For the horizontal inequality, this study calculates Williamson Index. We find that in the last decade Indonesia has witnessed a worsening regional inequality despite the improvement made by the removal of the hold harmless rule. Based on the panel estimation, the determinants for regional government capital expenditure are increase in PAD, DAU, DAK and the removal of the hold harmless rule. While in the other model, we find that increased in regional government’s capital expenditure, investment, the removal of hold harmless rule, and population has positive effect to regional GDP per capita. Finding that the effect of capital expenditure to regional GDP in rich regions reiterates the need to increase poor regions government expenditure capacity by allocating more DAU and DAK. The determinants for decreasing inequality are increased in DAU, DAK, the removal of hold harmless, infrastructure and population control. Lastly, this study finds that the removal of hold harmless rule could reinforce DAU primary purpose to reduce regional income inequality. On the alternative formula, this study advocates the use of the revisional DAU formula based UU. No. 33/2004 and Shah’s (2012) DAU formula.
Keyword: DAU, inequality, local capital expenditure

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

Judul: Pembuatan dan Karakterisasi Prototipe Sel Surya Nanokristal n-TiO2/Dye/p-CuSCN
Abstrak: Dengan metode casting dan perlakuan annealing, dapat dibuat lapisan nanokristal semikonduktor TiO, pada substrat Transparant Conductive Oxide (TCO). Penambahan dye Methylviolet Thiocianate (MVSCN) dan lapisan CuSCN pada TiO, tersebut menghasilkan sel surya n-TiO,ldye/p-CuSCN yang dapat menyerap foton dan mengubahnya menjadi energi listrik.
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