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)