Regents show goodwill to amend autonomy law

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Amid controversy over the ongoing revision of Law No. 22/1999 on regional autonomy, the Regency Administrations' Association (Apkasi) expressed willingness on Tuesday to amend many regional rulings, considered to have hampered economic development.

Apkasi executive director Syarifuddin Lubis said after meeting with Vice President Hamzah Haz that the central government should have provided proof and data on the various regional rulings said to be disadvantageous to investors.

"If there is something wrong with the regional rulings just give us proof so we can amend or retract such rulings ... do not just make accusations without giving us any inputs," Syarifuddin said in a press conference.

Regional autonomy has become a thorny issue in Indonesia with critics voicing concerns that the laws have given too broad an authority to regency governments in generating their own revenue and managing their domestic affairs. The rapid rate of destruction of forests in places like Sumatra and Kalimantan since the law came into effect has been attributed to the new- found autonomy.

Demands for regional autonomy grew after the fall in 1998 of the New Order regime which was widely resented for ignoring development in the provinces.

President Megawati Soekarnoputri has repeatedly expressed her opposition to the implementation of the Autonomy Law, which became effective in January last year under former president Abdurrahman Wahid.

In its application, the law is viewed by many as having deviated from its original objective, in that the regional administrations become overly independent to the point that it threatened the unity of the nation.

The central government, therefore, decided to amend the law, saying that it was part of the government's efforts to "support local growth without sacrificing national unity."

One regional ruling, Decree No. 5/2000 on coal tax issued by Tapin regency in South Kalimantan, has been annulled by the central government and another 14 are being reviewed as the rulings are said to have produced unacceptable tax burdens on mining companies.

The annulment was made in response to complaints by businessmen who said that there were over 1,000 rulings issued by regional administrations concerning local taxes and charges which were placing a heavy burden on businesses.

Syarifuddin underlined that most of the complaints on the regional rulings were frequently made without any clear evidence, while on the other hand the central government hastily decided to revise the Autonomy Law, saying that it provided excessive power to the regional administrations.

"We, as the association, have the right to provide advise to the regional administrations if something goes wrong, but they should tell us what is wrong," Syarifuddin remarked.

He reiterated Apkasi's demand that the central government concentrate on issuing government regulations needed as guidelines for the regencies on how to use their authority.

"Maybe the Autonomy Law needs revision, but at least give more time to evaluate its implementation and also give the necessary regulations, then we can talk about revising the law," Syarifuddin added.