DINAMIKA POLITIK PEMBENTUKAN DAERAH OTONOMI BARU KABUPATEN BALANIPA PROVINSI TAHUN 2014-2019 (STUDI TENTANG RENCANA PEMBENTUKAN KABUPATEN BALANIPA)

In general, the formation of new autonomous regions is driven by several factors. First, the expansion is a legal way to channel state funds to the regions. Second, the expansion provides wider space for political party cadres in the regions to be involved in the legislative and executive institutions. Third, the expansion can be an effective campaign tool in attracting public sympathy. Fourth, the expansion can improve the welfare of the community by bringing the range of services closer. The plan to reform a new autonomous region for Balanipa Regency has experienced prolonged political dynamics. Since 2007, the media has reported the beginning of the division and is still hoping that the central government will lift the moratorium on the formation of New Autonomous Regions (DOB). However, the big question is: What is the urgency of regional expansion for the people of Polewali Mandar district, especially the people in the area of preparation for new autonomous regions? Considering the fact that the expansion issue is most often raised by local political elites, and based on the cycle, the expansion issue is most often raised before the general election for regional heads at the district or provincial level. Therefore, the author considers it is important to study further about the political dinamics in the plan to form the new autonomous region of Balanipa Regency, as well as to discuss in depth the political motives of the expansion plan. This study used qualitative research methods. Data collection techniques used are literature studies and interviews. The findings of this study show that the historical idealistic sentiment of the Balanipa region which is the parent kingdom of the 14 Mandar kingdoms makes the majority of the people support the initiatives of the local political elite in the draft new autonomous region of Balanipa district. So often the issue of the expansion of Balanipa is used as a tool to gain public sympathy.
Keywords: Political Dinamics, Regional Expansion, Balanipa Regency