Legislators hail bill on regional autonomy
Legislators hail bill on regional autonomy
JAKARTA (JP): The government submitted to the House of
Representatives on Wednesday the bill on regional autonomy which
legislators have hailed as an answer to long-standing grievances
over centralization.
Abu Hasan Sazili, deputy chairman of the Golkar faction in the
House, said the bill would serve as a legal basis for modified
centralized administration as it would grant regional bodies full
authority and autonomy in fields such as local politics, economy
and culture.
The central government would retain authority in foreign
affairs, defense and security, as well as judicial and fiscal
matters. The document is also expected to enable civilians to
become governors or regents without presidential endorsement.
"This bill reflects democratic changes in politics and
economics as demanded by the reform movement," Sazili said after
a plenary session on the presentation of the document.
The session, also attended by 24 governors, was presided over
by Deputy House Speaker Lt. Gen. Hari Sabarno.
Sazili said Golkar supports the government's concept of
regional autonomy, which he believed would foster democratization
as the bill provides for power-sharing between the regency
legislatures and local administrations.
The regency legislatures would have the same control and
legislative functions as the House of Representatives does, and
the authority to bring about the dismissal of problematic regents
and mayors, he said.
"The elections of regents and mayors will be completely the
affair of the respective legislatures. Officials will also be
required to give an account of their tenure to the legislative
bodies," he said.
He said the bill would create regions as centers of democracy.
Harminto A.P. of the United Development Party (PPP) said his
faction has recently discussed the concept of regional autonomy
and supported the bill but pointed to the need for good
preparation before any autonomy was implemented.
Antonius Rahail of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI)
faction said the regional autonomy bill would reduce central
government domination as well as answer demands for greater
autonomy for certain provinces.
He pointed out that Irian Jaya, Riau and Aceh have long
demanded greater autonomy because of the unfair division of
revenues from exploitation of their natural resources.
"They have long awaited this bill," he said.
Antonius, who represented Irian Jaya in the House, said
despite the lack of quality human resources, all regencies in the
province would be able to implement the autonomy program in order
to catch up with the more developed provinces.
Syarwan said the new bill was drawn up in response to
challenges facing the nation amid the globalization era.
"The new era requires new and substantial changes to the
present centralized administration... Through the new bill the
central government will share its power and authority with
regional administrations, especially regencies and mayoralties,"
he said.
The bill strives to enable candidates without experience in
the administration and bureaucracy to fill the posts of regent
and mayor.
In the present set-up, candidates deemed acceptable were
frequently from the military.
The 1974 law on regional autonomy rules that councils must
consult on their choices of candidate with the Ministry of Home
Affairs with the result that local residents have often protested
the ultimate decision. Former president Soeharto is said to have
greatly influenced the selection of governors and regents during
his 32-year presidency.
The 1974 law also states the head of the local administration,
together with the local council, comprise the local
administration. Some councilors have claimed the clause is a
muzzle on them being critical of the government.
The new bill was expected to be passed into law in April or
May, and regencies and mayoralties would be given two years to
make preparations to implement it. (rms)