Symbolic Participation in Regional Development Planning: An Evaluation of Musrenbang Implementation in Hulu Sungai Utara Regency, Indonesia

Abstract

Public participation is a core principle of democratic and sustainable regional development planning. In Indonesia, the Development Planning Deliberation Forum or Musyawarah Perencanaan Pembangunan (Musrenbang) is mandated by law to ensure citizen involvement in defining development priorities. Nevertheless, a growing body of research indicates that Musrenbang practices at the local level often remain confined to symbolic participation, whereby citizens' attendance is not accompanied by substantive influence over decision-making. This article critically evaluates the implementation of Musrenbang in Hulu Sungai Utara Regency, with particular attention to the quality of public participation and its implications for regional development planning. The study adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining secondary quantitative data from credible official sources with qualitative evidence derived from systematic observation of Musrenbang processes. Quantitative data are used to identify trends and patterns in regional development planning, while qualitative observations examine forum dynamics, power relations, and participatory practices. The findings demonstrate that Musrenbang in Hulu Sungai Utara Regency is largely characterized by procedural and symbolic participation, limited deliberative space, and insufficient integration of development data into planning decisions. These conditions contribute to a persistent misalignment between community needs and officially established development priorities. This article argues that meaningful reform of Musrenbang is required to transform it into a deliberative, inclusive, and data-driven planning mechanism capable of supporting responsive and sustainable regional development.