<![CDATA[This research is motivated by the ongoing issue of limited authority held by the Papuan People’s Assembly (Majelis Rakyat Papua/MRP) as a cultural representative institution established through the Special Autonomy framework to protect the identity and fundamental rights of Indigenous Papuans. Despite its strong moral and cultural legitimacy, MRP’s formal authority in regional policy-making remains largely procedural and non-substantive, creating a gap between its normative mandate and practical effectiveness. This condition generates an urgent need to reconstruct its authority so that cultural representation does not merely function symbolically, but serves as an effective instrument to safeguard the interests and dignity of Indigenous Papuans. This study aims to reinterpret and reconstruct MRP’s authority through the lens of Siyasah Syar’iyyah, a normative political framework emphasizing public welfare (maslahah), justice (‘adl), and the protection of vulnerable communities. The research employs a normative juridical method using conceptual, statutory, and historical approaches, supported by prescriptive analysis to formulate an ideal model of authority relevant to the sociocultural context of Papua. The findings indicate that Siyasah Syar’iyyah provides an ethical and philosophical foundation for strengthening MRP’s authority through the principles of al-maslahah, al-‘adl, and hifz al-‘ird, positioning MRP as a guardian of culture with more substantive and binding advisory power. This study recommends regulatory harmonization, enhancement of binding consultation authority, and participatory governance rooted in customary values to achieve cultural justice and reinforce the effectiveness of Papua’s Special Autonomy system.]]>
