Law No. 23 of 2014: Between Decentralization and Effective Public Services

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the effectiveness and efficiency of implementing Law Number 23 of 2014 concerning Regional Governance and to identify the main challenges in its practical application. Using a normative juridical method, this research examines the alignment between legal norms and their implementation across various public service sectors. The findings indicate that the distribution of authority among the central, provincial, and district/municipal governments has not yet functioned optimally, resulting in overlapping policies and delays in public service delivery. Furthermore, the absence of comprehensive Minimum Service Standards across all sectors contributes to disparities in service quality between regions. The lack of detailed technical guidelines also weakens interinstitutional coordination and reduces the accountability of public services. These conditions demonstrate that the current governance framework requires stronger institutional arrangements to overcome fragmentation and improve administrative performance. Therefore, the formulation of cross-sectoral service standards and the strengthening of regional institutional capacity constitute strategic steps to achieve a more effective, efficient, and citizen