Unequal Contestation Between State and Community: The Case of Electrification in Rural Indonesia

Abstract

This article sheds light on the dualistic case of electricity supply in Andung Biru, rural Indonesia, managed by the state and the community. This research uses a case study method and interviews with 30 informants; the findings reveal that this contestation is unavoidable. It features the State Electricity Company (PLN) as a state business entity and the Tirta Pijar Group as a community group. This disparity leads to economic dualism in electricity supply, with the public choosing their preferred provider in line with customer preferences. Based on the innovation of electricity management by the Tirta Pijar Group, the analysis shows how economic dualism in unequal actors creates a resilient strategy for informal economic activities. The findings demonstrate that community-based economic power grows organically and can be resilient against superior state actors. Additionally, this study has implications for rethinking the resource management concept based on the strength of community empowerment.