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