House revises autonomy law

House revises autonomy law

JAKARTA: The House of Representatives agreed on Monday during a
plenary session to revise the Law No. 22/1999 on regional
administration.

Spokespersons of the nine House factions said they hoped the
revision would strengthen the legitimacy of governors and
regents.

Legislator Zein Badjeber, who helped come up with the concept
for the draft revision, said legislators would revise the law to
pave the way for the direct election of governors and regents.

Zein, who chairs the House's Legislative Body, said he hoped
the first direct elections of governors and regents would take
place in October next year.

Akil Mochtar of Golkar said the direct election of governors
would help create more legitimate regional leaders.

He added that direct elections would also reduce the practice
of money politics among members of the Regional Legislative
Council (DPRD).

The plenary session was attended by 282 House members and
presided over by House Deputy Speaker Tosari Widjaja.

The government has also drafted a revision to the law, but its
draft has not yet been submitted to the House. -- JP