Transparency and Accountability Under Indonesia’s Regional Government Law

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the implementation of transparency and accountability principles in regional governance based on Law Number 23 of 2014 concerning Regional Government. Employing a doctrinal legal approach, this research examines the relationship between the legal norms governing regional governance and their practical application within local bureaucratic settings. The findings indicate that although the regulatory framework provides a robust legal foundation for promoting transparent and accountable governance, its implementation continues to encounter structural, institutional, and cultural barriers. These constraints include limited administrative capacity, a bureaucratic ethos that remains resistant to openness, and the insufficient development of internal oversight mechanisms. Furthermore, the weak public participation and inadequate monitoring systems pose significant challenges to achieving effective good governance at the regional level. The study emphasizes the need for normative reconstruction and institutional strengthening, particularly through the digitalization of public services, regulatory harmonization, and enhanced integrity among public officials.