Cilacap threatens to boycott port operations<\/p>\n
Agus Maryono, The Jakarta Post, Cilacap, Central Java<\/p>\n
The Cilacap administration in Central Java has threatened to
\ncease the operations of Tanjung Intan Seaport in protest against
\nthe central government's move to annul a bylaw on port service
\nmanagement.<\/p>\n
The ruling, issued by the local government, requires the
\nseaport operator -- state-owned PT Pelindo III -- to pay a
\nservice tax to increase Cilacap's budget revenues, following the
\nenforcement of the regional autonomy law.<\/p>\n
The enactment of Bylaw No. 1\/2003 on seaport affairs had
\nreportedly angered Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno, who
\nlater issued a decree on Sept. 15 to annul the Cilacap
\nadministration's ruling.<\/p>\n
Under Decree No. 53\/2003, the minister ordered Cilacap Regent
\nProbo Sulastomo to cancel the implementation of the bylaw seven
\ndays after the issuance of the decree at the latest.<\/p>\n
The decree stated that the bylaw contravened Law No. 21\/1992
\non shipping, Government Regulation No. 81\/2000 on navigation and
\nGovernment Regulation No. 69\/2001 on seaport affairs.<\/p>\n
The three regulations stipulate that seaport safety and
\nmanagement systems, as well as shipping safety are still under
\nthe control of the central government, despite the implementation
\nof the regional autonomy law.<\/p>\n
In response, the Cilacap administration and the regency's
\nlegislative council strongly opposed the ministerial decree.<\/p>\n
\"We will not bow to the decree issued by the Ministry of Home
\nAffairs. We will go ahead with our decision to enforce the bylaw,
\nIf deemed necessary, we will boycott the seaport's operations by
\npreventing ships from entering the harbor,\" senior councillor
\nSutoro Rono Seputro said.<\/p>\n
Similarly, Regent Probo lashed out at the issuance of the
\nministerial decree.<\/p>\n
\"We should have been asked (before the central government made
\nthe decision), because not only do our people in Cilacap want to
\nenjoy the sea's natural resources but also the port's services,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/cilacap-threatens-to-boycott-port-operations-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}