Political Participation of The Sultanate of Ternate From Post-Independence to the Reform Era

Abstract

The political role of The Sultanate of Ternate has shiffed significantly from the post—Independence era through the New Orde and into Reform. Employing a historical—analytical approach with primary source (archival documents, newspaper, interviews) and political science frameworks, this paper traces how Sultan Iskandar Muhammad Jabir Syah (47th Sultan) engaged in federalist politics—becoming Interior Minister of the State of East Indonesia (NIT) —and how his exhile under Sukarno constrained local power. Under Suharto, Sultan Mudafar Syah (48th Sultan) forged an alliance with Golkar to regain cultural dan political influence, revitalizing place rituals and expanding kinship networks. Finally, in the Reform era, decentralization (Laws No.22/19999 and Laws No. 46/1999) enabled Mudafar Syah’s unsuccessful gubernatorial bid and later election to the national parliament via the National Democratic Party. The findings illuminate the Sultanates adaptive strategies—political alliances, cultural politics, and economic ventures—in maintaining legitimacy and influence a local and national levels.