Regents show goodwill to amend autonomy law<\/p>\n
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Amid controversy over the ongoing revision of Law No. 22\/1999 on
\nregional autonomy, the Regency Administrations' Association
\n(Apkasi) expressed willingness on Tuesday to amend many regional
\nrulings, considered to have hampered economic development.<\/p>\n
Apkasi executive director Syarifuddin Lubis said after meeting
\nwith Vice President Hamzah Haz that the central government should
\nhave provided proof and data on the various regional rulings said
\nto be disadvantageous to investors.<\/p>\n
\"If there is something wrong with the regional rulings just
\ngive us proof so we can amend or retract such rulings ... do not
\njust make accusations without giving us any inputs,\" Syarifuddin
\nsaid in a press conference.<\/p>\n
Regional autonomy has become a thorny issue in Indonesia with
\ncritics voicing concerns that the laws have given too broad an
\nauthority to regency governments in generating their own revenue
\nand managing their domestic affairs. The rapid rate of
\ndestruction of forests in places like Sumatra and Kalimantan
\nsince the law came into effect has been attributed to the new-
\nfound autonomy.<\/p>\n
Demands for regional autonomy grew after the fall in 1998 of
\nthe New Order regime which was widely resented for ignoring
\ndevelopment in the provinces.<\/p>\n
President Megawati Soekarnoputri has repeatedly expressed her
\nopposition to the implementation of the Autonomy Law, which
\nbecame effective in January last year under former president
\nAbdurrahman Wahid.<\/p>\n
In its application, the law is viewed by many as having
\ndeviated from its original objective, in that the regional
\nadministrations become overly independent to the point that it
\nthreatened the unity of the nation.<\/p>\n
The central government, therefore, decided to amend the law,
\nsaying that it was part of the government's efforts to \"support
\nlocal growth without sacrificing national unity.\"<\/p>\n
One regional ruling, Decree No. 5\/2000 on coal tax issued by
\nTapin regency in South Kalimantan, has been annulled by the
\ncentral government and another 14 are being reviewed as the
\nrulings are said to have produced unacceptable tax burdens on
\nmining companies.<\/p>\n
The annulment was made in response to complaints by
\nbusinessmen who said that there were over 1,000 rulings issued by
\nregional administrations concerning local taxes and charges which
\nwere placing a heavy burden on businesses.<\/p>\n
Syarifuddin underlined that most of the complaints on the
\nregional rulings were frequently made without any clear evidence,
\nwhile on the other hand the central government hastily decided to
\nrevise the Autonomy Law, saying that it provided excessive power
\nto the regional administrations.<\/p>\n
\"We, as the association, have the right to provide advise to
\nthe regional administrations if something goes wrong, but they
\nshould tell us what is wrong,\" Syarifuddin remarked.<\/p>\n
He reiterated Apkasi's demand that the central government
\nconcentrate on issuing government regulations needed as
\nguidelines for the regencies on how to use their authority.<\/p>\n
\"Maybe the Autonomy Law needs revision, but at least give more
\ntime to evaluate its implementation and also give the necessary
\nregulations, then we can talk about revising the law,\"
\nSyarifuddin added.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/regents-show-goodwill-to-amend-autonomy-law-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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