Inauguration set for new regency

JAKARTA (JP): City Council and the city administration agreed on Tuesday that the inauguration of Pulau Seribu (Thousand Islands) regency, which has been postponed twice, would be conducted next month.

"We agreed that the regency could be inaugurated in the middle of next month, while the regent would be installed later," council chairman Edy Waluyo announced after meeting with Deputy Governor for Administrative Affairs Abdul Kahfi at City Hall.

Edy hoped that the proposed bylaws to elevate the status of Seribu Islands from a district to a regency, consisting of two districts, could be completed prior to the inauguration.

The council had earlier criticized the city administration for planning to inaugurate the regency, located off the shore of North Jakarta, before the bylaws were approved.

The council also objected to the appointment of M. Rahardjo, currently the head of the city's fisheries department, as the islands' regent. They also made the objection because the governor did not consult with the council on the matter.

City administration spokesman Muhayat said on Tuesday that the government would probably appoint an acting regent if they had not found the right person to hold the post by the middle of next month.

According to Law No.33/1999 on city administration, the appointment of a mayor and a regent should be approved by the City Council.

Several councillors urged City Governor Sutiyoso to propose more than one candidate as regent.

The councillors said that Rahardjo was unable to lead the Seribu Islands regency.

The regency, which consists of about 110 islands, is home to about 17,000 people and is a popular tourist destination.

Governor Sutiyoso had initially planned to inaugurate the regency in June to coincide with the city's 474th anniversary, but it was delayed, pending the issue of a government regulation on the Seribu Islands regency. (jun)