Autonomy trial run underway nationwide

Autonomy trial run underway nationwide

JAKARTA (JP): The trial-run of greater regional autonomy began
simultaneously in 26 selected regencies yesterday, with local
officials vowing to make it a success.

Launched by President Soeharto on April 25, the project aims
to give regency governments greater authority to manage their
internal affairs and greater financial independence.

Governors in the regencies symbolically transferred part of
their authority to the regents in solemn ceremonies, Antara
reported.

The 26 regencies are those which have strong financial
resources and thus have the potential to manage their affairs in
matters which used to be handled by the provincial governments.

In the West Sumatran capital of Padang, Governor Hasan Basri
Durin told the regent of Tanah Datar to see the program as an
opportunity.

"Don't see the autonomy as a burden," he said.

In Central Java, the regency of Purwokerto assumed 20 areas of
responsibility that previously rested with the provincial
administration. These areas include agriculture, resettlement,
public administration, social services, health and manpower.

The regency will also carry out its own programs in relation
to tourism and mining.

In West Java, Governor R. Nuriana handed over, among other
things, fisheries, education and culture, traffic management and
social services, to Bandung Regent Hatta Djatipermana.

"This program will be conducted under close scrutiny," Nuriana
said. "If the regency proves unable to cope with the
responsibilities, we'll withdraw them."

In East Java, Governor Basofi Sudirman handed over tourism,
public works, mining and manpower to Sidoarjo Regent Edy Sanyoto.

Governor of Riau Soeripto told the administrators of the
Kampar regency that they should not be afraid of change.
"Nobody's interests will be harmed by the program, so you don't
need to do anything illegal to survive the changes," he said.

Soeripto said he was confident that the program would not turn
the regents into "little kings" because, he said, the government
had created effective supervision mechanisms.

In Jambi, Governor Abdurrachman Sayoeti handed over the
responsibility for more than 23 areas to Regent Saman Chatib of
Batanghari. "This transfer of responsibilities may later be
expanded to cover even more areas," he said.

Governor Herman Musakabe of East Nusa Tenggara province handed
over responsibility for health, trade, resettlement and
cooperatives to the regency of Central Southern Timor.

In South Kalimantan, the regency of Tanah Laut was selected to
take over the provincial administration's responsibilities in
relation to 15 areas of administration.

Governor Syamsuddin Mahmud of Aceh handed over responsibility
for the management of, among other things, resettlement,
fisheries and agriculture, to Regent Karimuddin Hasybullah of
North Aceh regency.

"Hopefully, this program will create more efficient service
for the public," Syamsuddin said.

In Lampung, Governor Poedjono Parnyoto asked Regent Suwardi
Ramli of Central Lampung regency to increase his personnel and
improve supervision.

"This program needs more skilled, knowledgeable people, so
that they can carry out their responsibilities in a professional
manner," Poedjono said.

In Yogyakarta, Governor Paku Alam VIII formally handed over
certain responsibilities to Regent Arifin Ilyas of Sleman. "You
need to better coordinate your personnel, in order to explore
this regency's natural potential," Paku Alam said. (swe)