'Autonomy best solution to Riau separation problem'<\/p>\n
Riau, one of the resource-rich provinces in Western Indonesia,
\nhas in recent years experienced a push for self-determination.
\nThe New Order regime's unfair treatment of the region was blamed
\nfor the separation campaign. Many believe, however, that a
\nsignificant autonomy would mitigate the discontent. The following
\nis a discussion on the issue with Alfitra Salamm, a researcher at
\nthe Jakarta-based Indonesian Institute of Sciences' Center for
\nPolitical and Regional studies, and a native of Riau. The other
\nscholars interviewed here, sociologists Imam B. Prasodjo and
\nMochtar Naim and law professor Bagir Manan respectively discussed
\nthe question of conflict areas such as Aceh and Maluku, the
\nproblem of poor human resource besetting most regions, and the
\nabsence of solid legal infrastructure for the autonomy drive.<\/p>\n
Question: Who is the more ready for the autonomy drive, the
\nregions or the central government?<\/p>\n
Answer: The regions are quite ready, I believe. The problem is
\nthat the directive regulations (PP) for Law No. 25 on fiscal
\nbalance have yet to be issued. No wonder the regional
\nbureaucracies are panicking because they need clear fiscal
\nbalance policies when drafting the budget.<\/p>\n
I think the regional administrations will really encounter
\ndifficulties (when the autonomy policy comes into effect).<\/p>\n
Q: So the obstacles are from the central government?<\/p>\n
A: Yes indeed, especially because of its tardiness in issuing the
\ndirective regulations, as (time is needed) to disseminate them,
\nto reach uniformity of interpretation between the central and the
\nregional governments.<\/p>\n
In practice, some fiscal balance arrangements are in place,
\nbut they are the legacy of the New Order regime and based on the
\n1974 Law No. 5. Here the role of the central government remains
\nlarge, and it can intervene in the allocation of funds.<\/p>\n
In the initial stage of the autonomy drive, I think there will
\nbe obstacles. In order to overcome them, the regional
\nadministration should take the lead, finding breakthroughs. The
\ncentral government, too, has to accept changes without
\nintervening so the regions can progress in accordance to their
\nown potentials. They should be given the space to really move.<\/p>\n
Q: Let us discuss Riau specifically...<\/p>\n
A: With the new arrangement on fiscal balance, I think Riau will
\nbe financially loaded. It might receive more than Rp 3 trillion
\n(annually).<\/p>\n
The problem is I don't think Riau is ready to manage it. Logic
\nwould say it's easy to spend all those money, but how do you do
\nit strategically? I don't think it's been given much thought.<\/p>\n
Q: Why is this so in Riau?<\/p>\n
A: (Poor) human resources, and the habit of waiting for
\ninstructions from superiors. We really need time and energy to
\ncorrect this mentality.<\/p>\n
Q: So what is special about Riau?<\/p>\n
A: This is a very resource-rich region (as it produces some 60
\npercent of the national crude oil). But we need to orderly manage
\nthe resources so that they won't become another hindrance to the
\nautonomy policy.<\/p>\n
There are questions, for instance, on how Riau should now
\nmanage (oil and gas company) Caltex (Pacific Indonesia) and its
\nagriculture sector.<\/p>\n
Judging from its wealth of natural resources, Riau is indeed
\nmore than ready for the autonomy. The hindrances, however,
\ninclude the existing regulations which prevent the empowerment of
\nthe region. For instance, there are regulations on plantation,
\nmining and forestry, which are centralistic in nature. The way I
\nsee it, the central government is still being unfair toward Riau.<\/p>\n
In addition to its rich natural resources, Riau is special
\nbecause it is strategically located near Singapore. Trade would
\nbe promising.<\/p>\n
Q: And its weaknesses?<\/p>\n
A: As I said, poor human resources. But we can overcome this by,
\nsay, inviting consultants. The real problem lies in the mentality
\nof the Riau officials, who still wait for orders from their
\nsuperiors.<\/p>\n
Take human resources in fisheries, for example, or mining or
\nplantation; they are still of poor quality. Even if it is late,
\nwe should establish educational institutions or polytechnics that
\nfocuses on natural resource management in Riau.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, if Riau plans strategically, such as thinking
\nahead on how to develop other potentials for the post-oil and
\nforestry era, I am sure it will develop the fastest.<\/p>\n
Q: What kind of planning?<\/p>\n
A: Riau has to develop its potentials other than in oil and in
\nforestry. I would say electronics is a good area. The forests and
\noil reserves are rapidly depleting. Unless other strategic
\nindustries are developed now, Riau would soon turn into a ghost
\nisland.<\/p>\n
Q: Why electronics?<\/p>\n
A: Because (bonded industrial zone) Batam (which has an
\nelectronic industry) with its nearness, geographically, to
\nSingapore, which is a developed country, would also affect Riau's
\nfuture development.<\/p>\n
Other possible industries include palm oil or CPO (crude palm
\noil). Too bad it's still being managed in an amateurish way.<\/p>\n
Q: With such vast potentials, why is Riau still considered poor
\ntoday?<\/p>\n
A: Because the large industries do not have linkages with the
\npeople. In the future, this linkage should be built.<\/p>\n
Q: What is your assessment of Riau's initiatives in facing the
\nautonomy era?<\/p>\n
A: I believe the region has already shown initiatives; it has
\nconducted breakthroughs and lobbied the central government. For
\ninstance, several Riau legislators and NGO activists have
\nrecently lobbied (state oil company) Pertamina and the minister
\nof mining for the management of Coastal Plain Pekanbaru (CPP) oil
\nblock. The legislative council has also issued a ruling on sand
\nquarry management.<\/p>\n
These initiatives, however, have been rejected by the central
\ngovernment. So it is my conclusion that the central government is
\nthe party hampering the autonomy drive.<\/p>\n
Q: Many are concerned that autonomy would give birth to small
\nlords in the regions. What about Riau?<\/p>\n
A: This concern applies to all regions. But whether that becomes
\na reality will depend on public control (of the administrations).
\nI think public and NGO controls in Riau are quite good, it would
\nstop the officials from going astray.<\/p>\n
The legislative council's control here is weaker than the one
\nexerted by other institutions, particularly after the recent
\n(corruption case involving) the legislators and local officials.<\/p>\n
In the autonomy era, the control by legislative councils are
\nof great importance.<\/p>\n
Q: What do you suggest?<\/p>\n
A: Maybe we should have a parliamentary watch. There is one
\nalready, but it has yet to work optimally.<\/p>\n
Q: What will happen to large industries such as those found in
\nRiau's bonded industrial zone of Batam?<\/p>\n
A: The rules stipulate that the authority over these industries
\ncome under the regional administration; they will be turned into
\nlocal companies. But there are concerns that the Batam zone might
\nshrink; become even more inefficient, if it is placed under the
\nlocal administration. Maybe it's better to turn it into a
\ncorporation, a big, professional company.<\/p>\n
Q: Some Riau leaders once demanded independence from Indonesia?
\nWill this affect the autonomy plan?<\/p>\n
A: Those demands for independence were an attempt to improve the
\nbargaining position of Riau. Their actual demand is for the
\nopportunity to manage their natural resources, especially oil
\nproduction (managed all this while by) Caltex, as well as palm
\noil, which they believe will be good for Riau's economy.<\/p>\n
In addition, the central government's policies, all this
\nwhile, have stunted the growth of Riau--hence the demand for
\nseparation.<\/p>\n
But the demand was voiced by only a few of Riau's elite. It is
\nnot something that is aspired by all the people of Riau. If the
\nautonomy drive proceeded as planned, I believe it would have a
\npositive impact on Riau's future.<\/p>\n
Q: We know that some people have demanded the establishment of
\nthe province of Riau islands...<\/p>\n
A: In this era, no one can prevent people from forming a
\nprovince. But really we should consider various conditions. The
\nRiau islands used to have one regency, now it has four regencies.<\/p>\n
I think this wish for the Riau islands to become a province
\nshould be postponed for the time being, because the people should
\nconcentrate on developing these regencies first. It might take
\ntwo or three years before it can become a province.<\/p>\n
If the autonomy policy is carried out optimally, firmly and
\nrealistically, I believe it would be enough to solve various
\nproblems such as the social and economic gaps.<\/p>\n
The autonomy policy is the best solution for Riau. (Pambudi
\nUtomo)<\/p>",
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