Legislators hail bill on regional autonomy<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The government submitted to the House of
\nRepresentatives on Wednesday the bill on regional autonomy which
\nlegislators have hailed as an answer to long-standing grievances
\nover centralization.<\/p>\n
Abu Hasan Sazili, deputy chairman of the Golkar faction in the
\nHouse, said the bill would serve as a legal basis for modified
\ncentralized administration as it would grant regional bodies full
\nauthority and autonomy in fields such as local politics, economy
\nand culture.<\/p>\n
The central government would retain authority in foreign
\naffairs, defense and security, as well as judicial and fiscal
\nmatters. The document is also expected to enable civilians to
\nbecome governors or regents without presidential endorsement.<\/p>\n
\"This bill reflects democratic changes in politics and
\neconomics as demanded by the reform movement,\" Sazili said after
\na plenary session on the presentation of the document.<\/p>\n
The session, also attended by 24 governors, was presided over
\nby Deputy House Speaker Lt. Gen. Hari Sabarno.<\/p>\n
Sazili said Golkar supports the government's concept of
\nregional autonomy, which he believed would foster democratization
\nas the bill provides for power-sharing between the regency
\nlegislatures and local administrations.<\/p>\n
The regency legislatures would have the same control and
\nlegislative functions as the House of Representatives does, and
\nthe authority to bring about the dismissal of problematic regents
\nand mayors, he said.<\/p>\n
\"The elections of regents and mayors will be completely the
\naffair of the respective legislatures. Officials will also be
\nrequired to give an account of their tenure to the legislative
\nbodies,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said the bill would create regions as centers of democracy.<\/p>\n
Harminto A.P. of the United Development Party (PPP) said his
\nfaction has recently discussed the concept of regional autonomy
\nand supported the bill but pointed to the need for good
\npreparation before any autonomy was implemented.<\/p>\n
Antonius Rahail of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI)
\nfaction said the regional autonomy bill would reduce central
\ngovernment domination as well as answer demands for greater
\nautonomy for certain provinces.<\/p>\n
He pointed out that Irian Jaya, Riau and Aceh have long
\ndemanded greater autonomy because of the unfair division of
\nrevenues from exploitation of their natural resources.<\/p>\n
\"They have long awaited this bill,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Antonius, who represented Irian Jaya in the House, said
\ndespite the lack of quality human resources, all regencies in the
\nprovince would be able to implement the autonomy program in order
\nto catch up with the more developed provinces.<\/p>\n
Syarwan said the new bill was drawn up in response to
\nchallenges facing the nation amid the globalization era.<\/p>\n
\"The new era requires new and substantial changes to the
\npresent centralized administration... Through the new bill the
\ncentral government will share its power and authority with
\nregional administrations, especially regencies and mayoralties,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
The bill strives to enable candidates without experience in
\nthe administration and bureaucracy to fill the posts of regent
\nand mayor.<\/p>\n
In the present set-up, candidates deemed acceptable were
\nfrequently from the military.<\/p>\n
The 1974 law on regional autonomy rules that councils must
\nconsult on their choices of candidate with the Ministry of Home
\nAffairs with the result that local residents have often protested
\nthe ultimate decision. Former president Soeharto is said to have
\ngreatly influenced the selection of governors and regents during
\nhis 32-year presidency.<\/p>\n
The 1974 law also states the head of the local administration,
\ntogether with the local council, comprise the local
\nadministration. Some councilors have claimed the clause is a
\nmuzzle on them being critical of the government.<\/p>\n
The new bill was expected to be passed into law in April or
\nMay, and regencies and mayoralties would be given two years to
\nmake preparations to implement it. (rms)<\/p>",
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