Yogyakarta's special status debated<\/p>\n
YOGYAKARTA (JP): A royal row is brewing here with President
\nB.J. Habibie likely having to decide whether someone other than a
\ndescendant of the Yogyakarta aristocracy would be eligible to
\nbecome governor of the special province.<\/p>\n
After a tough round of debate, which saw the Golkar and the
\nUnited Development Party (PPP) factions remaining steadfast in
\ntheir stance, the provincial legislature decided Saturday to
\nrefer the matter to the central government in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
\"Since we could not come to an agreement we decided to throw
\nthe matter to the president,\" said deputy speaker Khairudin.<\/p>\n
The row revolves around the nomination of a new governor with
\nthe recent retirement of Paku Alam VIII at the age of 91
\naccording to the Javanese calender, or about 88 on the Gregorian
\ncalender.<\/p>\n
Paku Alam served as \"acting\" governor since the death of Sri
\nSultan Hamengkubuwono IX in 1988.<\/p>\n
The Golkar and Armed Forces factions, apparently with strong
\npublic support, has nominated Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X as
\ntheir sole candidate for governor.<\/p>\n
While nobody has formally opposed the royal candidate, some
\nhave suggested that another candidate be nominated to make the
\n\"election\" more democratic in the spirit of reform.<\/p>\n
The PPP has endorsed such a proposal and has nominated its
\nYogyakarta chapter chairman, Alfian Darmawan, for the post.<\/p>\n
But even the mere candidacy of someone other than a royal
\ndescendent has been opposed by many who interpret a challenger,
\nsymbolic or real, as a threat to the special status accorded to
\nYogyakarta.<\/p>\n
In appreciation of the ancient town's contribution to the
\ncountry's independence struggle, the government declared
\nYogyakarta a special province on March 4, 1950 based on Law No.
\n3\/1950, which strengthened a previous 1948 statute.<\/p>\n
The special law granted the governorship of Yogyakarta to Sri
\nSultan Hamengkubuwono IX.<\/p>\n
Other provinces are governed by Law No. 5\/1974, which
\nstipulates that governors be elected by the provincial
\nlegislature for five-year terms with a maximum of two-terms.<\/p>\n
The Golkar faction has argued that Yogyakarta's legal status
\nrequires the governor to be selected from one of the province's
\ntwo aristocratic houses. The nomination and possible election of
\nsomeone other than a royal family member, it said, could result
\nin Yogyakarta losing its coveted status.<\/p>\n
It had been widely perceived that the terms set out in the
\n1974 law pertaining to the provinces do not apply to Yogyakarta.<\/p>\n
PPP appears to now be challenging this view.<\/p>\n
\"If we use Law No. 3\/1950, then we recognize that there is a
\ndistinctive protocol in the selection of a governor in
\nYogyakarta,\" Khairudin said.<\/p>\n
\"If there is more than one candidate (other than Sri Sultan),
\nthen there would have to be an election, which means the special
\nstatus would disappear,\" he added.<\/p>\n
PPP legislator Herman Abdurrahman argued that the two initial
\nlaws on Yogyakarta were superseded by the 1974 statute.<\/p>\n
\"If two names have been forwarded, then let's vote... If only
\nthe Sultan is being forced as the sole candidate, then it would
\nbe undemocratic,\" Herman said.<\/p>\n
So far, the only public expression of support for Alfian has
\ncome from PPP legislators themselves, while a crush of letters
\nand rallies have rained down on the legislature in support of Sri
\nSultan.<\/p>\n
Sri Sultan himself maintained that based on the initial laws,
\nthe governor is determined by the president on the recommendation
\nof the two aristocratic houses -- the Yogyakarta Keraton (palace)
\nand the Pura (palace) Paku Alaman.<\/p>\n
He argued that if the 1974 law was used for the province, then
\nall laws referring to Yogyakarta's special status should first be
\nabolished. (23\/44)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/yogyakartas-special-status-debated-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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