PROF. Dr. Muhammad Ryaas Rasids name is synonymous with regional autonomy. Ryaas, born in Gowa, South Sulawesi 57 years ago, was the one to set the fundamentals of decentralization in Indonesia, when he initiated the drafting of Law No. 22/1999 on Regional Governments during the presidency of B.J. Habibie. In fact, he still keeps an eye on the law from the halls of parliament.

He began his career in public life as a lurah or head of Kelurahan Mel