Journal of Social Science and Humanities (JoSSH)
Vol. 5 No. 1 (2026): January-June

POLICY PAPER: Regional Revenue Reform to Encourage Fiscal Independence: An Analysis of PAD, DTU Dependency, and Structural Strategy 2018–2024 Palopo City

Sahrial Pirham (Badan Perencanaan dan Pembangunan Daerah Kota Palopo, Provinsi Sulawesi Selatan)



Article Info

Publish Date
30 Jun 2026

Abstract

This policy paper analyzes regional revenue reform in encouraging the fiscal independence of Palopo City for the 2018–2024 period. This study is motivated by the high fiscal dependence on the General Transfer Fund (DTU) amid the trend of moderation and declining allocation from the central government, while the contribution of Regional Original Revenue (PAD) has not been able to shift the fiscal structure significantly. In nominal terms, PAD increased from IDR 139.28 billion (2018) to IDR 205.56 billion (2024), but its average contribution to total revenue was only 17.95%, while DTU still dominated around 77.83%. The fiscal independence ratio improved from 1:5.36 to 1:3.45 but is still in the low category. The structure of PAD is also not ideal because it is dominated by other legitimate PAD (±58%), while regional taxes as the main instrument of the urban economy only contribute ±23%. This study uses a descriptive-analytical approach based on secondary data from regional planning documents and financial statements. The findings show that the main problem is not only the low nominal PAD, but also the lack of an integrated, compliance-based, and supported revenue system that is integrated and supported by strong regulations and supervision. Palopo City faces a triple fiscal challenge: high dependence on DTUs, weak PAD capacity as a fiscal support, and a downward trend in central transfers. This policy paper recommends structural reform through three main pillars: strengthening regional revenue regulations, modernizing the implementation and administration of technology-based voting, and strengthening the supervision and compliance system. This reform is expected to be able to encourage sustainable fiscal transformation and support the target of significantly increasing PAD in the next five years.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

JoSSH

Publisher

Subject

Religion Arts Humanities Decision Sciences, Operations Research & Management Education Environmental Science Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Law, Crime, Criminology & Criminal Justice Library & Information Science Social Sciences

Description

Journal of Social Science and Humanities (JoSSH) focuses on the applications of social sciences and humanities theories and methodologies and provides an intellectual platform for the researchers and scholars to pursue an interdisciplinary approach to create new knowledge, solution, and improve ...