Autonomy regulations needed

Autonomy regulations needed

JAKARTA: The absence of supporting regulations for the
regional autonomy law has created some obstacles in its
implementation, mainly in regional maritime and fisheries
development, said a scientist on Tuesday.

Arif Satria, a researcher at the Center of Agricultural
Studies at the Bogor Institute of Agriculture, said an increase
in violence among fishermen and overexploitation of marine
resources occurred mainly because local people and
administrations did not fully understand the government-initiated
autonomy program.

"Fishermen have indirectly claimed provincial waters as
theirs. However, autonomy does not mean that fishermen from other
provinces are not allowed to fish in a particular province's
waters," he cited, while addressing a launch ceremony for a book
titled Towards Maritime Decentralization.

Another speaker, Umar Juoro, an economist at the Center for
Information and Development Studies (CIDES), told The Jakarta
Post that government should cooperate with the public and the
business community to create sustainable maritime and fisheries
development.

He said the government could provide clear sanctions through
the regulations, while people could contribute to the
preservation of natural resources and the business community
could invest in eco-friendly marine businesses. --JP