Special Region of Kutai

Special Region of Kutai Daerah Istimewa Kutai
Regency-level special region of East Kalimantan, Indonesia
1953–1960
Location of the region, labeled as "DI Kutai"
Capital	Samarinda
Area
• 1953	100,917.59 km2 (38,964.50 sq mi)
Government
• Type	Devolved non-sovereign monarchy special region within a unitary republic
Sultan
• 1953–1960	Aji Muhammad Parikesit [id]
Historical era	Cold War
• Established[1]	7 January 1953
• Dissolved and split into three[2]	21 January 1960
Preceded by Succeeded by Kutai Self-Governance Kutai Regency Balikpapan Samarinda

The Special Region of Kutai (Indonesian: Daerah Istimewa Kutai) was a regency-level special region within East Kalimantan, Indonesia, that existed from 1953 until 1960. Throughout its existence, it was led by the 19th sultan of Kutai, Aji Muhammad Parikesit [id], and its capital was located at Samarinda (instead of Tenggarong).^[1] It was formed on 7 January 1953 from earlier Kutai Self-Governance (Indonesian: Swapraja Kutai), and it was one of few second-level special regions to have existed in Indonesia, along with the Special Region of Berau and the Special Region of Bulongan.^[1]

However, its system of government was rejected by the locals, seen as being feudalistic and autocratic.^[2] The Special Region of Kutai was slated to be dissolved under the law number 27 of 26 June 1959, nine days before the enactment of President Sukarno's 1959 Decree, which splits the region into Kutai Regency [id] (and its successor Kutai Kartanegara Regency), Balikpapan, and Samarinda.^[3] However, its dissolution could only be effective on 21 January 1960, with its Aji Muhammad Parikesit officially handed over his powers to the three successors at the sultanate of Kutai palace.^[2]

Due to multiple historical splits, the territory of the Special Region of Kutai now includes East Kutai, Kutai Kartanegara, Mahakam Ulu, and West Kutai regencies; Balikpapan, Bontang, and Samarinda cities; and Penajam—Sepaku districts of Penajam North Paser regency.