Prior to 2013, it covered an area of 12,134.57 km2 and had a population of 524,919 at the 2010 Census;[2] however on 10 June 2013 the northern half of the regency was split off to form a separate North Musi Rawas Regency.

In February 2010, Musi Rawas was subjected to serious flooding which submerged over 6,000 homes and affected thousands of hectares of land.

[4] On 29 April 2013 there were a clash between local people from the northern part of Musi Rawas Regency (who blockaded the national road between Jambi and Palembang) and policemen who tried to lift the blockade.

After 11 hours of negotiation had failed, four people were killed and six policemen were shot with traditional guns by protesters.

[1] The table also includes the locations of the district administrative centres, the number of administrative villages in each district (comprising 186 rural desa and 13 urban kelurahan), and its post codes.