Susilo and DPD discuss regional issues<\/p>\n
Rendi A. Witular and Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had his first consultative
\nmeeting with the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) on Monday
\nto discuss social and economic development in the country's 32
\nprovinces.<\/p>\n
The meeting, which took place five months after Susilo was
\nelected, discussed 10 items including the fuel price hikes, anti-
\ncorruption drives and the discrepancies in economic development
\nacross the regions.<\/p>\n
\"The meeting shows the government's seriousness in solving
\nproblems in the regions,\" DPD speaker Ginandjar Kartasasmita said
\nafter the meeting.<\/p>\n
Ginandjar said he had asked Susilo to help him work to ensure
\nmining companies complied with environmental regulations and
\nhelped empower locals living surrounding the mining sites.<\/p>\n
\"We don't want mining companies to abandon the environment
\nonce they end there operations here. This should be prevented to
\navoid job losses and increased poverty once the company leaves,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Susilo said the government would follow up five of the 10
\ndiscussed issues with the related ministries.<\/p>\n
\"The government will respond to the problems raised by DPD
\nmembers during the meeting. We will seek the best settlement for
\nthem,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Susilo said the five issues included the upcoming election of
\ngovernors and regents in conflict areas. It would be important to
\nselect capable and responsible leaders to end the conflicts, he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The government and DPD would also discuss further the
\ndistribution of the low-income assistance funds allocated from
\nthe reduced fuel subsidies.<\/p>\n
\"The government has also prepared the time line to gradually
\nmeet the 20 percent (of national budget money targeted) for
\neducation funding. We expect that by 2009 the government can
\nfully meet that requirement,\" Susilo said.<\/p>\n
He said the government and DPD would meet again to further
\ndiscuss the reconstruction of Aceh.<\/p>\n
The government is preparing a blueprint for reconstructing
\nAceh based on input from Acehnese administrators and local
\nleaders.<\/p>\n
Ten issues raised in the meeting:<\/p>\n
1. Regional aspiration on autonomy and the establishment of new
\nregents and provinces, along with the election of regional
\nadministrations.<\/p>\n
2. Allocation of funds from state and regional budgets for
\neducation, which should be at least 20 percent of the total
\nbudget as stipulated in the State Budget Law and Education Law.<\/p>\n
3. Efforts to rehabilitate and reconstruct tsunami-stricken Aceh.<\/p>\n
4. Fuel subsidy reductions and the allocation of low-income
\nassistance funds.<\/p>\n
5. Civil servant recruitment in the regions.<\/p>\n
6. Regional involvement in the government's many large
\ninfrastructure projects.<\/p>\n
7. Anti-corruption drives in the regions.<\/p>\n
8. Illegal fishing and illegal logging.<\/p>\n
9. Compliance of mining companies for the environment and nearby
\ncommunities.<\/p>\n
10. Development discrepancies between cities and regions.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/susilo-and-dpd-discuss-regional-issues-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }