House endorses 24 new regencies
Kurniawan Hari and Moch N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The House of Representatives (DPR) on Thursday endorsed 13 bills on the establishment of 24 new regencies in 13 provinces throughout the country.
The formation of the new regencies has increased their number nationwide from 324 to 348. The number of municipalities is now 86 spread out among the country's 33 provinces.
At a plenary meeting also attended by officials from the newly established regencies, all nine factions in the House backed the creation of the new administrative divisions, arguing that their establishment would help boost the prosperity of the people in those areas.
In his speech, Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno remarked that political reasons were the main factor in the past as well as the recent establishment of the new regencies.
The minister warned the House of the fact that some new regencies set up earlier had not performed effectively. "The future creation of new regencies must be based on serious assessments," he said.
He added that the government would re-merge regencies if they failed to perform effectively as evidenced by their financial dependence on the province and its former regency after three years.
The establishment of new regencies or provinces is made possible with the enactment of Law No. 22/1999 on regional administrations and Government Regulation No. 129/2000 on the requirements for the establishment of new regencies and provinces.
Any group of people that wishes to propose the creation of new regencies or provinces can do so by formally requesting it from the House, which will then assess the validity and send it onward to the Cabinet for further consideration.
The Council of Regional Autonomy Advisory (DPOD) consisting of the home ministry, the finance ministry, the state secretary and regional representatives will study if the proposal meets all the criteria or not.
The home minister emphasized that the establishment of regencies, in the past and in the present, is based more on sentiment of historical, geographical or ethnic identity rather than on economic potential of the respective areas.
"Proposals to create new regencies are because of public pressure. This must be avoided in the future," the minister said.
He ensured that the creation of the new regencies would not change the allocation of seats in the House of Representatives (DPR) for next year's elections.
Hari, however, said that the General Elections Commission (KPU) would soon allocate seats and map the new regencies to create regency legislatures (DPRD).
No. New Regency Province
1. North Kolaka, Bombana, Wakatobi Southeast Sulawesi
2. West Sumbawa West Nusa Tenggara
3. Lingga Riau
4. Tojo Una-Una Central Sulawesi
5. North Minahasa North Sulawesi
6. Sekadau, Melawi West Kalimantan
7. Supiori Papua
8. Serdang Bedagai, Samosir North Sumatra
9. Ogan Ilir, East OKU, South OKU South Sumatra
10. South Solok, West Pasaman, Dharmasraya West Sumatra
11. Lebong, Kepahiang Bengkulu
12. West Seram, East Seram, Aru Islands Maluku
13. Bener Meriah Aceh