<![CDATA[The special autonomy status, which is given to Aceh, Papua, Jakarta, and Yogyakartahas not resulted ina better decentralization implementation. Disputable design ofspecial autonomy and lack of capacity of local government have caused significantproblemon local democratization, especially in Aceh and Papua. This paper arguesthatlocal democratization problem existsbecause institutional design of local politics isdetermined by the central governmentrather than builtas a response to local needs. Thepolitical-economy discrimination in Aceh and Papua, for instance, are likely causedby incompatibility between the roleof province as principal point of special autonomyand the direct local-head elections. Meanwhile, democratic label which is attached toprovince autonomy could not assure political participation and deliberation of localinstitutions to the lowest level of government. In this case, political decisions arepotentially controlled only by a certain group of political elites at the provincial level.Keywords: special autonomy status, Aceh, Papua, local institutions]]>
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