'Autonomy best solution to Riau separation problem'

Riau, one of the resource-rich provinces in Western Indonesia, has in recent years experienced a push for self-determination. The New Order regime's unfair treatment of the region was blamed for the separation campaign. Many believe, however, that a significant autonomy would mitigate the discontent. The following is a discussion on the issue with Alfitra Salamm, a researcher at the Jakarta-based Indonesian Institute of Sciences' Center for Political and Regional studies, and a native of Riau. The other scholars interviewed here, sociologists Imam B. Prasodjo and Mochtar Naim and law professor Bagir Manan respectively discussed the question of conflict areas such as Aceh and Maluku, the problem of poor human resource besetting most regions, and the absence of solid legal infrastructure for the autonomy drive.

Question: Who is the more ready for the autonomy drive, the regions or the central government?

Answer: The regions are quite ready, I believe. The problem is that the directive regulations (PP) for Law No. 25 on fiscal balance have yet to be issued. No wonder the regional bureaucracies are panicking because they need clear fiscal balance policies when drafting the budget.

I think the regional administrations will really encounter difficulties (when the autonomy policy comes into effect).

Q: So the obstacles are from the central government?

A: Yes indeed, especially because of its tardiness in issuing the directive regulations, as (time is needed) to disseminate them, to reach uniformity of interpretation between the central and the regional governments.

In practice, some fiscal balance arrangements are in place, but they are the legacy of the New Order regime and based on the 1974 Law No. 5. Here the role of the central government remains large, and it can intervene in the allocation of funds.

In the initial stage of the autonomy drive, I think there will be obstacles. In order to overcome them, the regional administration should take the lead, finding breakthroughs. The central government, too, has to accept changes without intervening so the regions can progress in accordance to their own potentials. They should be given the space to really move.

Q: Let us discuss Riau specifically...

A: With the new arrangement on fiscal balance, I think Riau will be financially loaded. It might receive more than Rp 3 trillion (annually).

The problem is I don't think Riau is ready to manage it. Logic would say it's easy to spend all those money, but how do you do it strategically? I don't think it's been given much thought.

Q: Why is this so in Riau?

A: (Poor) human resources, and the habit of waiting for instructions from superiors. We really need time and energy to correct this mentality.

Q: So what is special about Riau?

A: This is a very resource-rich region (as it produces some 60 percent of the national crude oil). But we need to orderly manage the resources so that they won't become another hindrance to the autonomy policy.

There are questions, for instance, on how Riau should now manage (oil and gas company) Caltex (Pacific Indonesia) and its agriculture sector.

Judging from its wealth of natural resources, Riau is indeed more than ready for the autonomy. The hindrances, however, include the existing regulations which prevent the empowerment of the region. For instance, there are regulations on plantation, mining and forestry, which are centralistic in nature. The way I see it, the central government is still being unfair toward Riau.

In addition to its rich natural resources, Riau is special because it is strategically located near Singapore. Trade would be promising.

Q: And its weaknesses?

A: As I said, poor human resources. But we can overcome this by, say, inviting consultants. The real problem lies in the mentality of the Riau officials, who still wait for orders from their superiors.

Take human resources in fisheries, for example, or mining or plantation; they are still of poor quality. Even if it is late, we should establish educational institutions or polytechnics that focuses on natural resource management in Riau.

Furthermore, if Riau plans strategically, such as thinking ahead on how to develop other potentials for the post-oil and forestry era, I am sure it will develop the fastest.

Q: What kind of planning?

A: Riau has to develop its potentials other than in oil and in forestry. I would say electronics is a good area. The forests and oil reserves are rapidly depleting. Unless other strategic industries are developed now, Riau would soon turn into a ghost island.

Q: Why electronics?

A: Because (bonded industrial zone) Batam (which has an electronic industry) with its nearness, geographically, to Singapore, which is a developed country, would also affect Riau's future development.

Other possible industries include palm oil or CPO (crude palm oil). Too bad it's still being managed in an amateurish way.

Q: With such vast potentials, why is Riau still considered poor today?

A: Because the large industries do not have linkages with the people. In the future, this linkage should be built.

Q: What is your assessment of Riau's initiatives in facing the autonomy era?

A: I believe the region has already shown initiatives; it has conducted breakthroughs and lobbied the central government. For instance, several Riau legislators and NGO activists have recently lobbied (state oil company) Pertamina and the minister of mining for the management of Coastal Plain Pekanbaru (CPP) oil block. The legislative council has also issued a ruling on sand quarry management.

These initiatives, however, have been rejected by the central government. So it is my conclusion that the central government is the party hampering the autonomy drive.

Q: Many are concerned that autonomy would give birth to small lords in the regions. What about Riau?

A: This concern applies to all regions. But whether that becomes a reality will depend on public control (of the administrations). I think public and NGO controls in Riau are quite good, it would stop the officials from going astray.

The legislative council's control here is weaker than the one exerted by other institutions, particularly after the recent (corruption case involving) the legislators and local officials.

In the autonomy era, the control by legislative councils are of great importance.

Q: What do you suggest?

A: Maybe we should have a parliamentary watch. There is one already, but it has yet to work optimally.

Q: What will happen to large industries such as those found in Riau's bonded industrial zone of Batam?

A: The rules stipulate that the authority over these industries come under the regional administration; they will be turned into local companies. But there are concerns that the Batam zone might shrink; become even more inefficient, if it is placed under the local administration. Maybe it's better to turn it into a corporation, a big, professional company.

Q: Some Riau leaders once demanded independence from Indonesia? Will this affect the autonomy plan?

A: Those demands for independence were an attempt to improve the bargaining position of Riau. Their actual demand is for the opportunity to manage their natural resources, especially oil production (managed all this while by) Caltex, as well as palm oil, which they believe will be good for Riau's economy.

In addition, the central government's policies, all this while, have stunted the growth of Riau--hence the demand for separation.

But the demand was voiced by only a few of Riau's elite. It is not something that is aspired by all the people of Riau. If the autonomy drive proceeded as planned, I believe it would have a positive impact on Riau's future.

Q: We know that some people have demanded the establishment of the province of Riau islands...

A: In this era, no one can prevent people from forming a province. But really we should consider various conditions. The Riau islands used to have one regency, now it has four regencies.

I think this wish for the Riau islands to become a province should be postponed for the time being, because the people should concentrate on developing these regencies first. It might take two or three years before it can become a province.

If the autonomy policy is carried out optimally, firmly and realistically, I believe it would be enough to solve various problems such as the social and economic gaps.

The autonomy policy is the best solution for Riau. (Pambudi Utomo)