Rethinking of position of members of the regional house of representative as regional officers

The purpose of this study is to analyze the position of Regional House of Representatives members as regional officials under Law No. 23 of 2014 and to propose a fair reformulation of this position. This study employs a legal approach that is both statutory and conceptual. The results indicate that, based on Article 95, paragraph (2), and Article 148, paragraph (2) of Law No. 23 of 2014, members of the Regional House of Representatives are classified as regional officials rather than state officials. This classification is problematic, as the Regional House of Representatives is a state institution established in accordance with Article 18, paragraph (3) of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia. Furthermore, designating Regional House of Representatives members as regional officials leads to discriminatory treatment when compared to the positions of the Regional Head and Deputy Regional Head, despite the fact that all three roles share similar responsibilities and functions as regional government administrators. Consequently, Regional House of Representatives members do not enjoy the same status, financial rights, or administrative rights as the Regional Head and Deputy Regional Head. Therefore, it is essential to reformulate the position of Regional House of Representatives members ensure equitable treatment by recognizing them as state officials, similar to the Regional Head and Deputy Regional Head, and by granting them the respective protocol, financial, and administrative rights afforded to state officials.