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)