Pessimism greets regional autonomy on Day One
Pessimism greets regional autonomy on Day One
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia officially entered a new era with the
implementation of regional autonomy on Monday, but it was greeted
mostly by pessimism at the national level as officials feared
that it would usher in a period of bureaucratic chaos.
There was little fanfare for such a significant occasion,
viewed with indifference or pessimism by many senior political
figures here who noted the lack of preparation, both
administratively and legally.
Those brimming at the prospect of regional autonomy were
provincial officials who will acquire much of the authority they
have long coveted.
No less than People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais
was pessimistic as he predicted the pitfalls ahead.
"I'm worried with the implementation of Law 22/1999 and Law
25/1999 since two architects of the laws have gone," he remarked
during a year-end lecture at Gadjah Mada University's mosque in
Yogyakarta.
"Former Finance Minister Bambang Sudibyo has been replaced,
and (State Minister for Administrative Reform) Ryaas Rasyid will
resign on Jan. 4," Amien said.
Law 22/1999 defines the implementation of regional
administrations and Law 25/1999 regulates the financial balance
between the central government and local administrations.
Amien, who is also chairman of the National Mandate Party
(PAN), believes both current Minister of Finance Prijadi
Praptosoehardjo and Minister of Home Affairs and Regional
Autonomy Soerjadi Soedirdja will not be able to cope with the
confusion which is sure to arise.
He predicted that tension and problems would emanate between
the central government and regional administrations, and between
regions.
He cited the plantation sector as one field which could foment
confusion.
Even Ryaas Rasyid, a key individual who drew up the regional
autonomy blueprint, predicts that as it stands regional autonomy
would likely be counterproductive because most regions were not
sufficiently prepared to run an autonomous administration.
Ryaas also believes the central government has so far been
half-hearted in its intentions to implement it.
"I have a political and moral responsibility for its
implementation. But with the central government's poor
preparations, I won't take the responsibility for its possible
failure," he remarked.
"I'm pessimistic of regional autonomy success because with
the absence of necessary regulations and presidential decrees to
enforce the laws on autonomy and fiscal equity, it will only
burden the people," Ryaas warned.
He said regencies and provinces have long awaited autonomy
but so far the necessary legal regulations and decrees have
still not been issued.
Ryaas said that in his initial concept at least 15 government
regulations and 117 presidential decrees would have to be
introduced to regulate the various authorities in numerous
sectors, including mining, education, health, taxation and
retribution collection, and forestry.
He further regretted that local politicians only emphasized
the decentralization of authority and a bigger financial share
of natural resources exploitation.
"They forget their obligation to provide better service to
the public and to empower the people," he said.
He further feared that under the prevailing conditions
corrupt practices witnessed in the central government would now
only be widened to the regions.
Despite the apparent pessimism in Jakarta, regional officials
were upbeat about the process.
West Sumatra Council speaker Arwan Kasri emphasized that his
office was ready to face its new responsibilities.
"We are still optimistic since we know that the province with
a population of 4.3 million has economic potential which has yet
to be explored," Arwan was quoted by Antara as saying on
Monday.
In Surakarta, Central Java, the implementation of regional
autonomy was marked with the symbolic handover to the mayoralty
of 14 offices which were earlier under the central government
and provincial administrations. (23/rms/jun)