PCD Journal

The Practice of Local Bossism

Yohanes Ivan Rukma Rukma — 2025-08-01

This study examines the relationship between politics and business through the case of Agus, a tobacco middleman in Bukit Hijau regency. Agus plays a pivotal role as a local boss, maintaining his position as a member of the District Regional House of Representatives (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Daerah tingkat Kabupaten) in the regency. Employing a qualitative research design with a phenomenological approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews. The study finds that Agus’s crucial position in the local tobacco trade system enabled his transformation into a local boss, or a local political figure, through two mobilisation channels: (1) the tobacco trade network, which he successfully converted into an electoral political network, and (2) religious networks, evidenced by his affiliation with the Nusantara Social Party (Partai Sosial Nusantara/PSN). These forms of mobilisation are analysed through six strategic frameworks for local bossism. The limitation of local bosses arises from the fact that the influence of local bosses is constrained by political party structures. The institutional system of political parties limit the full consolidation of power within the party. In conclusion, while local bosses such as Agus successfully mobilised political support through local boss strategies, their power remains incomplete and subject to institutional limitations.

Policy Implementation Scheme and Policy Pathology

Dwi Fatmalia Dwi Fatmalia — 2025-08-01

This paper analyses the KPR Sejahtera policy, a mortgage loan programme for low-income communities (masyarakat berpenghasilan rendah/MBR) initiated by the Ministry of Public Works and Housing (Kementerian Pekerjaan Umum dan Perumahan Rakyat/PUPR). Although the policy has good intentions, its implementation, particularly the funding scheme has hindered the effectiveness of housing provision in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. Using the pathology of public policy framework by Hogwood & Peters (1985) and the NATO scheme from Hood & Margetts (2007), this study explores why the KPR Sejahtera funding mechanism has proven ineffective and has instead created new issues. The Directorate of Infrastructure Financing (Direktorat Jenderal Pembiayaan Infrastruktur) delegates this programme to state-owned banks, but the implementation details are left to each bank. The core problem arises from the mismatch between the banks' profit-oriented nature and the social mission of the program. This leads to internal conflicts within the banks and results in the failure to reach the targeted MBR beneficiaries. This situation reflects the ‘earmarking’ pathology, in which a budget designed for a specific programme is allocated outside of its original purpose, leading to sub-optimal policy outcomes.

Multiactor Dynamics in Domestic Wastewater Governance within the Framework of Water Governance

Zahira Syifa Sitoresmi — 2025-08-01

Wastewater management is important component in sanitation that has direct affect on the quality of clean water sources. This study analyses the implementation of domestic wastewater governance by focusing on two key aspects: government performance and community involvement. Adopting a case study approach, the study was conducted at the Sewon Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), which is the only regional WWTP in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta/DIY) serving Sleman regency, Yogyakarta city, and Bantul regency. Data were collected through interviews, document analysis, and field observation. The analysis is grounded in a water governance framework, assessing three key dimensions: content, institutional arrangements, and relational dynamics. The results reveal significant gaps in policy implementation, limited coordination among government actors, and minimal public participation. These challenges have negatively impacted the effectiveness and sustainability of domestic wastewater management. Therefore, the study underlines the urgent need for more integrated coordination among governmental bodies and stronger efforts to empower communities. Greater public literacy, involvement in decision-making processes, and inclusive governance practices are essential to improve the performance of domestic wastewater management and ensure long-term environmental sustainability.