Preventing disintegration

Preventing disintegration

As we know, communities in many regions of Indonesia are prone
to conflicts, Indonesia being a hugely diverse nation. That is
why the process of nation building in this country is a process
in which there is no journey's end. Our conclusion is that there
is no other choice but to put the problem of separatism in this
country high on the government's list of priorities.

To prevent the disintegration of the nation, a formula has
been agreed upon which gives Aceh and Irian Jaya the status of
special autonomy. Other regions will also be granted broad
autonomy, a true autonomy that ensures them a fair share of their
internal revenues as well as the right to look after their own
internal affairs in a genuine manner.

The preparations for this have been made and have in part
already begun to be implemented. This may sound easy on paper. In
practice, however, a steady commitment is needed. The Cabinet
minister in charge of regional autonomy will thus naturally
determine to what degree that commitment is kept.

-- Kompas, Jakarta