| Conventional Long Name: | Special Region of Kutai |
| Native Name: | Indonesian: Daerah Istimewa Kutai |
| Common Name: | Kutai |
| Nation: | East Kalimantan, Indonesia |
| Subdivision: | Regency-level special region |
| Era: | Cold War |
| Year Start: | 1953 |
| Date Start: | 7 January |
| Event Start: | Established[1] |
| Year End: | 1960 |
| Date End: | 21 January |
| Event End: | Dissolved and split into three |
| Capital: | Samarinda |
| Title Leader: | Sultan |
| Year Leader1: | 1953–1960 |
| Stat Year1: | 1953 |
| Stat Area1: | 100,917.59 |
| P1: | Kutai Self-Governance |
| S1: | Kutai Regency |
| S2: | Balikpapan |
| S3: | Samarinda |
| Flag S1: | Logo Kutai Lama.png |
| Flag S2: | Coat of arms of Balikpapan.svg |
| Flag S3: | Coats of arms of Samarinda City.svg |
| Image Map Caption: | Location of the region, highlighted |
| Government Type: | Devolved non-sovereign monarchy special region within a unitary republic |
The Special Region of Kutai (id|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,, and its capital was located at Samarinda (instead of Tenggarong).[1] It was formed on 7 January 1953 from earlier Kutai Self-Governance (id|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, at the time, its system of government was rejected by the locals, seen as being feudalistic and autocratic. 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 (and its successor Kutai Kartanegara Regency), Balikpapan, and Samarinda.[2] 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.[3]
Due to multiple historical administrative changes, the territory of the Special Region of Kutai now includes East Kutai, Kutai Kartanegara, Mahakam Ulu, and West Kutai regencies; Balikpapan, Bontang, Nusantara and Samarinda cities; and Penajam—Sepaku districts of Penajam North Paser regency, all of them consist around 79% of the current area of East Kalimantan.
The Special Region of Kutai was divided into the following 6 Indonesian: kewedanaan (older districts) and 22 Indonesian: kecamatan (older subdistricts, current districts):[3]
| Indonesian: kewedanaan | Indonesian: kecamatan | |
|---|---|---|
| Kutai Ulu |
| |
| Sendawar |
| |
| West Kutai |
| |
| Central Kutai |
| |
| East Kutai |
| |
| South Kutai |
|