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)