Baleg Targets Completion of Aceh Government Law Revision This Year

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Legislation Body (Baleg) of the Indonesian House of Representatives targets completing the revision of Law No. 11 of 2006 on Aceh Governance this year, allowing its implementation to take effect next year. Deputy Chairman of Baleg DPR RI Ahmad Doli Kurnia stated in Jakarta on Friday that accelerating the discussion of the Aceh Governance Law revision is crucial to ensure the continuity of development in Aceh. “Thus, we can complete it this year and it will be effective next year because the special economic autonomy indeed has a time limit,” he said. Baleg is currently absorbing various inputs from the regional government regarding the sustainability of special autonomy (otsus), particularly ahead of the expiry of Aceh’s special economic autonomy period. Doli explained that Baleg DPR RI and the central government have in principle reached an agreement to continue Aceh’s special status, including the sustainability of otsus funds. According to him, the current discussions are focused on determining the ideal amount of funds. On Thursday (16/4), Baleg held a meeting with the government in Banda Aceh. In that forum, the Aceh Government proposed that the otsus fund allocation be in the range of 2 to 2.5 percent. Doli said that this proposal will be considered in further discussions with the central government. In addition, the revision of the Aceh Governance Law is also directed towards strengthening the acceleration of development and equitable welfare in Aceh through the management of natural resources (SDA), improving the quality of education and health, as well as infrastructure development. Baleg has reaffirmed its commitment to continue gathering aspirations from the regional government as part of perfecting the substance of the Aceh Governance Law revision. “The main principle is how this law can accelerate development in Aceh and promote equitable welfare,” Doli stated.