Suku Simalungun: An Ethnic Group in Search of Representation

Simalungun (pop. about 525,000) is one of eleven regen cies (or second-level self-governing regions) in the province of North Sumatra, and is located about two hours by car or bus south and west on a paved all-weather road from the pro vincial capital of Medan on the east coast. Approximately in the center of the regency is the municipality of Pematangsiantar (also called P. Siantar or Siantar), a market and admin istrative center and the second largest city of North Sumatra, with a population of approximately 113,000. At the head of the regency government (which is separate from that of the municipality) is the Kepala Daerah (Regional Head, also called bupati or regent), who is appointed by the Ministry of Home Affairs from a list of nominees presented by the regency leg islature (Dewan Perwakilan Rakjat Daerah-Gotong Rojong or DPRD-GR, Mutual Help People's Regional Representative Council).* 1 The Regional Head is responsible for general administration and coordination of the various central government bureaus