Govt restructures for autonomy in regions

Govt restructures for autonomy in regions

JAKARTA (JP): The government yesterday revealed a plan to
restructure Indonesia's regional administrations, giving them
greater autonomy and responsibilities.

The local legislative assemblies -- whether at provincial,
regency or city levels -- will be given a greater say in the
running of local affairs, Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie
S.M. said yesterday.

There will also be some streamlining of the local
administrations, he said during a keynote speech to a meeting of
the country's 27 provincial governors.

The government will review some posts, such as those of deputy
governor, deputy regent, district chief and those of their
deputies, he said, adding that some will be eliminated and others
redefined to maximize their effectiveness.

"In principle, the government will review all the various
posts in the local administrations which have not functioned
properly," he said.

The government is committed to giving greater autonomy to the
regions, particularly to the second level administrations
(regency or mayoralty level), but has proceeded cautiously
because the local administrations have not been ready to take on
greater responsibility.

Yogie emphasized the need to develop greater professionalism
among the staff of the local administrations, particularly that
of district and subdistrict employees who will be dealing
directly with the public.

The annual meeting of governors is being held to brief the
provincial leaders on the government's program for the 1995/1996
fiscal year, which begins on April 1.

Other officials who addressed the governors yesterday included
State Minister of National Development Planning/Chairman of the
National Development Planning Board Ginandjar Kartasasmita,
Minister of Finance Mar'ie Muhammad and Minister of Agrarian
Affairs/Chairman of National Land Agency Sony Harsono.

Mar'ie said that local administrators had to strive to give
the best possible service to the public, including foreign
investors who came to their regions. "Most foreign investors
would rather invest in the city because of the poor service
provided in the regions."

Ginandjar briefed the governors about the government's drive
to eliminate poverty and to narrow existing disparities between
the rich and the poor, western and eastern Indonesia, and rural
and urban areas. (yns)