From the Mataram Sultanate to a Modern Regency: The Long History of Sleman

Sleman, now one of the regencies in the Special Region of Yogyakarta, has a long and complex administrative history. Its status changed several times, its governmental structure was reorganized repeatedly, and it even lost its position as a regency before eventually regaining that status.

The administrative history of Sleman can be traced back to 1916, when the Sultanate of Yogyakarta issued Rijksblad No. 11 of 1916. The regulation divided the Sultanate's territory into three regencies: Kalasan, Bantul, and Sulaiman, the latter later becoming known as Sleman. Each regency was headed by a regent, while the areas beneath them were divided into districts led by officials known as panji.

At the time, Sulaiman Regency consisted of four districts. Mlati District had five subdistricts and 46 villages. Klegoeng District comprised six subdistricts and 52 villages. Joemeneng District had six subdistricts and 58 villages, while Godean District consisted of eight subdistricts and 55 villages.

The Sultanate's administrative structure continued to develop. Later in 1916, additional Rijksblad regulations established administrative arrangements for Gunung Kidul, the City Regency, and Kulon Progo. As a result, the Sultanate of Yogyakarta expanded from three regencies to six.

This arrangement did not last long. In 1927, Rijksblad No. 1 of 1927 simplified the Sultanate's administrative divisions into four regencies: Yogyakarta, Bantul, Kulon Progo, and Gunung Kidul. Under this reorganization, Sleman lost its status as a regency and became a district under Yogyakarta Regency.

The administrative structure changed again in 1940. Through Rijksblad van Jogjakarta No. 13 of 1940, issued on March 18, the Sultanate reorganized its territory. The Sultanate retained four regencies, but the districts within each regency were rearranged. Sleman remained part of the administrative structure, although its precise position continued to evolve.

During the Japanese occupation of Indonesia, the administrative divisions of Yogyakarta were reorganized once more. In 1942, under the system known as Jogjakarta Kooti, the Sultanate's territory was arranged into several regencies and kawedanan, or administrative divisions below the regency level. Officials and territorial boundaries were assigned under the new structure.

A major change came on April 8, 1945. Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX issued Jogjakarta Koorei No. 2, dividing the Sultanate into five regencies: Yogyakarta City, Sleman, Bantul, Gunung Kidul, and Kulon Progo. Through this decision, Sleman regained its status as a regency.

The restoration of this status marked an important turning point in Sleman's administrative history. For the second time, the area became a regency-level government, headed by KRT Pringgodiningrat. At that time, Sleman Regency consisted of 17 kapewon, also referred to as son, comprising 258 villages. The regency's administrative center was located in the area now known as Triharjo Village, Sleman District.

Although Sleman had regained its regency status, its government facilities remained limited. Available facilities included the central government building, a market now known as Sleman Market, Sleman Mosque, and a railway station whose former site has since become Taman Segi Tiga Sleman.

Compared with other regencies on Java, Sleman's facilities were relatively modest. It lacked several features commonly associated with regional administrative centers, such as a town square, a prison, and military barracks.

Conditions became even more difficult during Indonesia's revolutionary period. Government employees left Sleman's administrative center to coordinate strategies elsewhere. As a result, government offices were deserted and looted by irresponsible groups. Many buildings eventually became unsuitable for public services.

In response, Regent KRT Pringgodiningrat moved the regency's public service center to Ambarukmo in 1947. The location included a former royal residence and the site of what had been Indonesia's first police officer training center. Today, the area is associated with the Pendopo of Hotel Ambarukmo. It is important to distinguish this move from a change of capital: Ambarukmo served as the center of government services, not as the official capital of Sleman Regency.

In the same year, KRT Projodiningrat succeeded KRT Pringgodiningrat as regent. A year later, in 1948, formal government administration began to be implemented in the Sultanate of Yogyakarta. Under Law No. 22 of 1948, the area's official designation remained Sleman Regency.

Leadership changed again in the following years. In 1950, KRT Projodiningrat was replaced by KRT Dipodiningrat, who served until 1955. KRT Prawirodiningrat then took over and remained in office until 1959.

During this period, Indonesia's regional government system was also undergoing significant changes. Law No. 1 of 1957 addressed regional divisions and local autonomy. As part of its implementation, Sleman Regency came to be designated a Daerah Swatantra, or autonomous region.

The administrative structure differed from the one used today. In addition to a regent appointed as an employee of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the region was also required to have a regional head elected by the Regional People's Representative Council, or DPRD. Consequently, two leadership positions existed, with different appointment mechanisms. Buchori S. Pranotodiningrat was elected as the head of the autonomous region.

Another change followed the issuance of Presidential Decrees No. 6 of 1959 and No. 5 of 1960. As the government sought to reinstate the 1945 Constitution, Sleman's administration returned to a structure led by a single Regent/Regional Head. The position was held by KRT Murdodiningrat.

The year 1964 marked another important chapter. KRT Murdodiningrat moved the government center to Beran Hamlet, Tridadi Village, Sleman District. It occupied a building later associated with the Sleman Regional Development Planning Agency, or Bappeda. During the same period, Sleman Regency adopted a regional emblem as an official symbol of its government.

Administrative adjustments continued following the enactment of Law No. 18 of 1965 on Regional Government. Through Decision No. 19 of 1966 issued by the Sleman Level II Regional Gotong Royong Council, the designation of the regional government was changed to the Sleman Regency Government. The name of its legislative body was also adjusted to the Sleman Regency Gotong Royong Council. At the time, Soekirman Tirtoatmodjo served as its chair.

In 1971, the end of the Gotong Royong Council's membership period was followed by a change in leadership, with Soelanto replacing Soekirman Tirtoatmodjo as chair. In 1974, Law No. 18 of 1965 was replaced by Law No. 5 of 1974 on Regional Government. Under the new legislation, Sleman's government was designated the Level II Regional Government of Sleman Regency.

The year 1974 also brought a change in regency leadership. KRT Murdodiningrat was succeeded by KRT Tedjo Hadiningrat, whose term lasted only three months. Drs. KRT H. Prodjosuyoto Hadiningrat then took office and served two terms, from 1974 to 1985.

During his tenure, the chairmanship of the regional council also changed. In 1977, R. Soelarjo replaced Soelanto and served until 1982. Samingan H.S. subsequently took over the position.

In 1985, Drs. KRT H. Prodjosuyoto Hadiningrat was succeeded by Drs. Samirin, who served one term until 1990. During Samirin's administration, another change occurred in the regional council's leadership. In 1987, Lieutenant Colonel Sudiyono replaced Samingan H.S. as chair of the Sleman Regional People's Representative Council. Sudiyono subsequently served two terms, from 1987 to 1997.

This history shows that Sleman's development involved far more than changes in names or the relocation of government offices. It reflected political shifts, administrative reforms, leadership transitions, and efforts to rebuild public services during challenging periods.

From Sulaiman Regency under the Sultanate of Yogyakarta, to a district under Yogyakarta Regency, and finally back to regency status in 1945, Sleman underwent a long process before developing into the regional administration known today. Its history reminds us that administrative regions are not created overnight. They take shape through successive changes that reflect the people, politics, and circumstances of their time.