They were formerly called first-level provincial regions (provinsi daerah tingkat I), before the Reform era.
Provinces have a local government, consisting of a governor (Gubernur) and a regional legislative body (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Provinsi).
Provinces are further divided into regencies and cities (formerly called second-level region regencies/cities, or kabupaten/kotamadya daerah tingkat II), which are in turn subdivided into districts (kecamatan).
Proposals for the creation of additional provinces (by the splitting of existing ones) have been considered by the Indonesian government, but further action has been suspended since 2013 under a moratorium.
[7]: 38–39 The provinces are officially grouped into seven geographical units for statistical and national planning purposes, but without administrative function.