Autonomy not risky: Soeharto
Autonomy not risky: Soeharto
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto yesterday brushed aside fears
that greater autonomy for regencies will lead to the
disintegration of the nation.
"Granting wider autonomy to the regencies won't risk national
disintegration or even create tendencies towards autocracy,"
Soeharto told a gathering of Indonesia's 27 governors.
He stressed that the central government was firmly committed
to delegating greater authority to regencies and mayoralties to
handle their own affairs.
"We don't have to worry about the consequences of greater
autonomy because we have achieved a high level of national
resilience," the president said in a ceremony at the State
Palace.
The two-day meeting was closed yesterday afternoon by Minister
of Home Affairs Yogie SM.
Soeharto said that many government officials were experienced
in administrating such an autonomous system, and that the
Indonesian people had proven their loyalty to, and faith in,
Pancasila democracy.
In an effort to improve efficiency, the central government has
embarked on an ambitious plan to give the administrations at
mayoralty, township and regency levels more say in day-to-day
administration matters.
It is hoped that by doing so, government will become better
since it will be in harmony with the social, economic and
cultural conditions in the various provinces.
Soeharto hopes that this way the quality, initiative and
creativity of Indonesians will increase, and they will be able to
face the challenges of an increasingly competitive world.
He said regional governments were "required" to better manage
their administration.
"With a bigger economy it is also hoped that economy growth in
the regions will improve," he remarked.
One important aspect of the autonomy scheme being undertaken
by the government is that it should help alleviate poverty.
"The implementation of regional autonomy is to be combined
with a drive to banish poverty; that is why almost all the
revenues from property taxes are returned to the regions,"
Soeharto explained.
He then called on governors to pay special attention to the
government's credit plan to help the country's least developed
villages (IDT). He said officials must continue to guide them in
their attempt to create a better life.
Apart from the villages, Soeharto also highlighted the
important role of cities in boosting the nation's economy.
"Cities must play an active role as a catalyst of development.
Urban administrations cannot merely provide services for its
residents but should also become the engines of development,"
Soeharto said.
The president closed by underlining the importance of
governors as the heads of election organization committees in
their respective areas.
Soeharto stressed the importance of voting in a calm and
relaxed atmosphere. (mds)