Deliberative democracy aligns with Indonesia's state system, which prioritizes the principle of *musyawarah-mufakat* (deliberation to reach consensus) in decision-making; however, its application in the selection process for the Regional House of Representatives (DPR) remains challenging. This study aims to examine the realization of deliberative democracy within the Port Numbay indigenous community and to identify the factors hindering its implementation in the appointment of Jayapura City DPR members. An empirical legal research method was employed, utilizing interviews and supporting legal materials for data collection. The findings indicate that implementing deliberative democracy within this customary law community is difficult due to the Port Numbay community's legal culture, which is deeply rooted in a patrilineal system; consequently, women and youth are excluded from customary deliberation processes (*para-para adat*). This exclusion stands in direct contradiction to the principles of deliberative democracy, which seeks to provide opportunities for all individuals to engage in discourse aimed at achieving superior consensus. Furthermore, the study reveals that actual deliberation does not take place; instead, recommendations for DPR appointments are made unilaterally by the *Ondoafi* (customary leader). These findings demonstrate that implementing deliberative democracy in the appointment of Jayapura City DPR members remains difficult due to various obstacles, including cultural factors, human resource limitations, public awareness levels, legal issues, and political intervention by other governing bodies. Addressing these implementation barriers requires taking the specific actions recommended in this study.
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