VP criticizes regional autonomy law<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri strongly
\ncriticized Law No.22\/1999 on regional autonomy on Wednesday
\nsaying that it was against the 1945 Constitution's principle of a
\nunitary state.<\/p>\n
In her opening speech at a workshop at the Ministry of Home
\nAffairs attended by governors throughout the country, Megawati
\nunderlined that Indonesia is a unitary state and it will never
\nacknowledge the presence of small \"states\" within the country.<\/p>\n
\"We've noticed many excessive practices of regional autonomy
\nbecause Law No.22\/1999 does not share the same principles with
\nthe 1945 Constitution, which the law should have been based on,\"
\nMegawati said.<\/p>\n
She cited an article in the law which says that a province is
\nnot superior to a regency, thus breaking the hierarchical
\nrelationship between them.<\/p>\n
\"Now we're already seeing signs of 'rebellion' by the
\nregencies toward the provincial government, which should have
\nauthority over the regencies,\" Megawati remarked.<\/p>\n
The regional autonomy law was introduced during the reform era
\nto placate regional calls for a greater say in their own natural
\nresources and development.<\/p>\n
However, many have expressed disappointment over its
\nimplementation saying that it has not been carefully thought
\nthrough and has only created confusion.<\/p>\n
The government has already stated its intention to revise the
\nlaw.<\/p>\n
She further lamented that the concept of the annual
\naccountability speech of each governor to the provincial
\ncouncillors, had been used by certain groups as a political tool
\nto topple the governor and create instability.<\/p>\n
\"The (constant) change of the regional head will only create
\ninstability in the area. The accountability of the region's head
\nshould be given at the end of their tenure, except in exceptional
\ncircumstances,\" the Vice President said.<\/p>\n
\"I expect there to be a conceptual revision of the law as soon
\nas possible,\" Megawati said.(dja)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/vp-criticizes-regional-autonomy-law-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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