Governors told to enforce all the electoral laws

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto ordered the provincial governors yesterday to enforce all the electoral laws in the May 29 general election.

"I'm asking you all to pay great attention to make sure the general election is successful," Soeharto said in a meeting with all 27 governors at Bina Graha.

The governors are responsible for organizing the election in their respective regions in their capacity as head of provincial election committees. Besides electing people to the House of Representatives (DPR) on May 29, voters will also be electing their representatives in the various regional legislative councils.

"Do not have any doubts, even for a second, about enforcing all the laws when organizing the elections," he said.

The President described the general election as a major national undertaking which was a crucial part of Indonesia's preparations for the 21st century.

"Those representatives who will sit in the MPR (People's Consultative Assembly) and the DPR will determine the strategy, direction and goals of national development in the new century that will be filled with dynamic changes and progress.

"That is why this general election will be of strategic importance in the journey and growth of our nation," he said.

The governors held their annual meeting in Jakarta to discuss overall strategy for the coming year on Feb. 27 and Feb. 28. They were accompanied yesterday by Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. and other senior Ministry of Home Affairs officials.

In his speech Soeharto explained in detail the government's efforts to give greater autonomy to the regions, especially to the Second Level Administrations (regency level) to allow greater local initiatives and participation.

In the 1997/1998 fiscal year, which starts next month, the government has increased funding to the special presidential instruction projects designed to bolster growth and more equal distribution of income, he said.

"This means greater liberty for local administrations in choosing their development priorities," he said.

The central government gives the regions more autonomy to run their own affairs every year, Soeharto said.

"The objective is to give local administrations more and authority in development. This way, the regions will be able to carry out development in accordance with the local conditions and people's aspirations," he said.

To promote regional autonomy, Soeharto said, the role of the Regional Legislative Councils (DPRD) must be enhanced.

"DPRDs must truly reflect the aspirations of the local people. This means the council leaders and members must be encouraged to hold periodic meetings with the people they represent."

Soeharto also asked the governors to pay special attention to discrepancies in the participation of people in development in the regions.

"There are those who are ready and there are those who are not. While you must continue to nurture those who are ready, your job is to give every assistance to those who are not ready, so they will eventually acquire the ability to play a bigger role in development," he said. (emb)

Campaign rules -- Page 2