In the Dutch colonial period, the region was included in the territory of South Sumatra and Sub Residency (
Afdeeling) Palembang and Tanah Datar with its capital of Palembang. The
afdeeling was divided into several
onder afdeeling, and Ogan Komering Ilir region covers the former areas of
onder afdeeling Komering Ilir and
onder afdeeling Ogan Ilir. After the Republic of Indonesia's independence, the territory of Ogan Komering Ilir was included in the residency of Palembang, which included 26
marga. Then, based on the Emergency Act No.4/1956 on the Establishment of the Autonomous Region Regencies in South Sumatra Province, Ogan Komering Ilir became one of the regencies in the province of South Sumatra. After the dissolution of the
marga, Ogan Komering Ilir regency was divided into 12 districts and 4 "districts with definitive representation". By 1996 Ogan Komering Ilir Regency had 14 districts and 4 "districts with definitive representation". Fourth districts such representation is the Pematang Panggang District (now Sungai Menang District) with the District Parent Mesuji, District Cengal with the District Parent Tulung Selapan, District Rantau Alai with the District Parent Tanjung Raja and District Jejawi with the District Parent Sirah Pulau Padang. Furthermore, in 2001 the government reformed the four "districts with definitive representation" into full districts, so Ogan Komering Ilir thus had 18 districts. Based on Presidential Decree No.37/2003 on the Establishment of East Ogan Komering Ulu, Ogan Komering Ilir and Ogan Ilir in South Sumatra Province, Ogan Komering Ilir Regency was divided into two regencies, namely a reduced Ogan Komering Ilir Regency and a new
Ogan Ilir Regency. Ogan Ilir Regency included the 6 districts of Inderalaya (as the capital), Tanjung Raja, Tanjung Batu, Muara Kuang, Pemulutan and Rantau Alai. After this expansion, Ogan Komering Ilir regency consisted of 12 districts. Then, in accordance with Regencies Act No.5/2005, five of the existing Ogan Komering Ilir regencies were divided to form six new districts, namely Lempuing Jaya (from part of Lempuing), Mesuji Makmur and Masuji Raya (from part of Mesuji), East Pedamaran (from part of Pedamaran), Teluk Gelam (from part of Tanjung Lubuk), and Pangkalan Lampam (from part of Pampangan). After this expansion Ogan Komering Ilir Regency has 18 administrative districts. ==References==