Cilacap threatens to boycott port operations

Cilacap threatens to boycott port operations

Agus Maryono, The Jakarta Post, Cilacap, Central Java

The Cilacap administration in Central Java has threatened to
cease the operations of Tanjung Intan Seaport in protest against
the central government's move to annul a bylaw on port service
management.

The ruling, issued by the local government, requires the
seaport operator -- state-owned PT Pelindo III -- to pay a
service tax to increase Cilacap's budget revenues, following the
enforcement of the regional autonomy law.

The enactment of Bylaw No. 1/2003 on seaport affairs had
reportedly angered Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno, who
later issued a decree on Sept. 15 to annul the Cilacap
administration's ruling.

Under Decree No. 53/2003, the minister ordered Cilacap Regent
Probo Sulastomo to cancel the implementation of the bylaw seven
days after the issuance of the decree at the latest.

The decree stated that the bylaw contravened Law No. 21/1992
on shipping, Government Regulation No. 81/2000 on navigation and
Government Regulation No. 69/2001 on seaport affairs.

The three regulations stipulate that seaport safety and
management systems, as well as shipping safety are still under
the control of the central government, despite the implementation
of the regional autonomy law.

In response, the Cilacap administration and the regency's
legislative council strongly opposed the ministerial decree.

"We will not bow to the decree issued by the Ministry of Home
Affairs. We will go ahead with our decision to enforce the bylaw,
If deemed necessary, we will boycott the seaport's operations by
preventing ships from entering the harbor," senior councillor
Sutoro Rono Seputro said.

Similarly, Regent Probo lashed out at the issuance of the
ministerial decree.

"We should have been asked (before the central government made
the decision), because not only do our people in Cilacap want to
enjoy the sea's natural resources but also the port's services,"
he said.