'More decentralization essential for Indonesia'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto yesterday stressed that
\nIndonesia must reassess the role the central government plays in
\nthe country.<\/p>\n
\"In an increasingly fast changing and interdependent world,
\nthere will no place for a centralistic government, where all
\ndecisions are made by the central administration,\" Soeharto said
\nwhile addressing 100 military and government officials at Bina
\nGraha presidential office.<\/p>\n
\"Not only will this be impossible to sustain ... it will also
\nhamper the growth and development of creativity and initiative in
\nsociety,\" he told participants of a leadership course organized
\nby the National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas).<\/p>\n
\"Initiative and creativity are the chief assets for the
\nnation's survival in a very dynamic world,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Last April President Soeharto launched a trial run of the
\nregional autonomy project, giving 26 selected regency
\nadministrations more responsibility and authority in managing
\ntheir own affairs. The trial is expected to last two years, and
\nif successful, will be implemented nationwide.<\/p>\n
The President said some central authority is still necessary
\nbecause it is impossible to expect society do everything by
\nthemselves.<\/p>\n
Among changes he envisaged, are the creation of more
\nmultilateral agencies and greater social and economic cooperation
\nacross border areas. \"Joint projects have been developed which
\nwill bring closer friendship between the countries involved in
\nthe cooperation,\" he commented.<\/p>\n
These changes, he said, are \"a new beginning which, if
\nproperly maintained and developed, will bring a level of
\nprosperity and justice which mankind has never experienced
\nbefore.\"<\/p>\n
\"The changes are in part brought about by the wisdom of
\nstatesmen, politicians and cultural experts, and by advances in
\nscience and technology, and closer social economic ties among
\ncountries,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Soeharto dismissed the theory that globalization would lead to
\nthe elimination of state borders.<\/p>\n
Nation states will continue to exist, he said, acknowledging
\nhowever that the role of states should be reassessed.<\/p>\n
Nation states, he said, can bring together the potentials of
\ndiverse groups to face challenges. \"States also have a high level
\nof solidarity which can be spread by humanity to achieve its
\ngoals.\"<\/p>\n
Lemhannas, the think tank of the Ministry of Defense and
\nSecurity, runs leadership courses for rising middle level
\ngovernment and military officials. The most recent participants
\nincluded Maj. Gen. Wiranto, the Jakarta Military Commander,
\nBrig.Gen. Agum Gumelar, the Chief of Staff for the Bukit Barisan
\nMilitary Command in northern Sumatra, and the Governor of East
\nTimor, Abilio Jose Osorio Soares.<\/p>\n
Also present during the courtesy call yesterday were Minister
\nof Defense, Edi Sudradjat, Lemhannas Governor Lt. Gen. Moetojib,
\nand his deputy Juwono Sudarsono, a noted political scientist.
\n(anr)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/more-decentralization-essential-for-indonesia-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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