The Position of A Deputy Regional Head in Running the Regional Government in Indonesia

Tension between Regional Heads and Deputy Heads of region in the process of running the regional governments has been a common phenomenon in Indonesia. This can be seen in their efforts to assign certain people for certain strategic positions and lack of approval between them in issuing government policies. This study therefore aims to elucidate the position of Deputy Heads of region in running the local governments either at provincial or district or municipal levels, and the pattern of relationship between Deputy Heads of region and Heads of region. Methods employed in this study are statute approach, conceptual approach and historical approach. The study results show that the position of a Deputy Head of region as stipulated in Law No. 23/2014, Article 63(1), on Regional Government, is as an assistant to the Regional Head. The relationship between a Deputy Regional Head and a Regional Head in the regional government system seems to be a vertical relationship since the role of a Deputy Regional Head is to provide support to the Regional Head to improve the performance of the regional government. In carrying out his or her duties, a Deputy Head of the region is obliged to account for his or her duties to the Regional Head. If the Head of a region dies, resigns, discharges or cannot perform his or her duties for six consecutive months in his or her term of office, the Deputy Head shall replace him or her until his or her term of office. The results of this study indicate the need for a more comprehensive evaluation of the position and authority of the Deputy Regional Heads in the regional government system in Indonesia. This will help to clarify the position and authority of the Deputy Heads of region and avoid the possibility of conflict between the Regional Heads and the Deputy Heads of region in the system of the local governments in Indonesia.