As an administrative city (Kota Administrasi) within the Special Capital Region of Jakarta, South Jakarta's governance structure differs from typical Indonesian cities. It does not have its own elected city council or an elected mayor. Instead, the Mayor of South Jakarta is a civil servant appointed directly by the Governor of DKI Jakarta.
The administrative city is subdivided into 10 districts (Kecamatan): Kebayoran Baru, Kebayoran Lama, Pesanggrahan, Cilandak, Pasar Minggu, Jagakarsa, Mampang Prapatan, Pancoran, Tebet, and Setiabudi. These are further divided into 65 administrative villages (Kelurahan). Public services, including health, education, and urban planning, are coordinated through the centralized provincial government of Jakarta.