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)