House near to approving Bangka-Belitung province

House near to approving Bangka-Belitung province

JAKARTA (JP): The Bangka-Belitung islands are edging closer to
winning approval to become a province after Minister of Home
Affairs and Regional Autonomy Surjadi Sudirdja and a special
House of Representatives committee inked a note to forward a bill
for deliberation.

"Bangka-Belitung, according to the government's assessment, is
feasible economically, territorially and based on its population
to become a province," Surjadi said after a meeting with
legislators on Monday.

He said barring unforeseen obstacles, the government would
likely appoint an acting governor and inaugurate the province by
December.

He said the governor would be charged with preparing various
provincial administrations, including preparing members to serve
on a local council with a composition based on the results of
last year's general election.

"We hope that by May next year, the council can elect the
provincial governor," he said.

If the bill is approved by the House plenary session on
Tuesday, Bangka-Belitung province will become, de jure, the
country's 31st province.

The new province, which would separate from the province of
South Sumatra, would consist of two regencies -- Bangka and
Belitung, and the municipality of Pangkalpinang.

It would have a territory of 16,000 square kilometers with the
two main islands of Bangka and Belitung and dozens of small
islands.

Bangka is home base to state-owned PT Timah, the country's
largest tin producer, which is listed on the London Stock
Exchange as well as the Jakarta Stock Exchange.

Dozens of Bangka-Belitung leaders attended the committee
meeting on Monday.

Zulkifli, one of the attendees, said the two most likely
candidates to be elected governor were incumbent Bangka regent
Navy Col. (ret.) Eko Maulana Ali and Aceh Police chief Brig. Gen.
Khairuddin Rasyidi.

"They are both natives of Bangka-Belitung. But we may also
nominate for governor Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril
Ihza Mahendra, who is also a native of Belitung, if he wants to,"
Zulkifli said.

The House is also discussing a bill on the establishment of a
province of the Riau islands.

However, it is facing strong opposition from current Riau
(mainland) officials.

The head of Banten, Indonesia's 30th province, was installed
by Surjadi on Saturday.

Hakamudin Djamal became acting governor for the newly
established Banten province, which separated from West Java
province.

Apart from Banten, the House has passed laws in the last two
years for the establishment of another three new provinces: North
Maluku and two provinces in Irian Jaya.

But the two provinces in Irian Jaya have yet to be inaugurated
due to objections from the local population. (jun)