Throughout its existence, it was led by the 19th sultan of Kutai, Aji Muhammad Parikesit [id].

Its capital was originally located at Samarinda,[1] although by late 1956, it was moved back to Tenggarong by the local government.

[4] However, its dissolution could only be effective on 21 January 1960, with its head Aji Muhammad Parikesit officially handed over his powers to the three successors at the sultanate of Kutai palace.

[2] The Special Region of Kutai bordered (in anticlockwise direction) the special regions of Berau and Bulungan, the Crown Colony of Sarawak (part of the British Empire), Kapuas Hulu, Barito, and Kotabaru.

The subdistrict of Muara Sabintulung was once included as part of historical Central Kutai on the 1979 book Dari Swapraja ke Kabupaten Kutai, however, it is spurious since Sabintulung itself is a village within Muara Kaman, not a separate district.