Regional autonomy bill will go to House

JAKARTA (JP): The much-awaited bill on regional autonomy, promising to open the door for civilians to become governors or regents without a presidential endorsement, will go before the House of Representatives on Wednesday.

Together with the upcoming law on fiscal balance between the central and provincial governments, which an official said would hopefully also be submitted Wednesday, the bill is a response to grievances roused by decades of centralization.

Rafiudin Hamarun, head of the ministry's center for research and development, said on Monday candidates for posts of regent and mayor would no longer be required to have experience in the administration and bureaucracy.

Candidates deemed acceptable are frequently from the military.

"Our next governors, regents and mayors must no longer be limited to those from the bureaucracy and the military because the new legislation will open wide the opportunities for civilian figures and party leaders to nominate, or to be nominated," he told a media conference.

Rafiudin, also a member of the draft bill team, added that the head of state's approval would no longer needed because the election of governors, regents and mayors would be fully entrusted to provinces, regencies and mayoralties.

"Both provincial and regency councilors will no longer have to consult the central government on candidates. They have full authority to decide their candidates and elect them."

The 1974 law on regional autonomy rules that councils must consult on their candidate choices with the Ministry of Home Affairs, with the result that local residents have often protested the ultimate decision. Soeharto is said to have greatly influenced the selection of governors and regents during his 32- year presidency.

Rafiudin hoped legislators could complete its deliberation in a few months.

"The new bill is expected to be passed into law in April, or May, and regencies and mayoralties would be given two years to make preparations in implementing it."

Rafiudin explained the new legislation would give regional administrations full authority and autonomy in all fields, such as local politics, economy and culture. The central government would retain authority in foreign politics, defense and security, judicial and monetary matters.

Local councils will be no longer be part of regency and mayoralty administrations, he said.

The 1974 law states the head of the local administration, together with the local council, comprises the local administration. Some councilors have claimed the clause is a muzzle on them being critical of the government.

Rafiudin said both provincial and regency councils would be separated from provincial and regency administrations, with their functions to be similar to the House of Representatives regarding control of the government and drafting legislation.

The House and local councils are more empowered by the new law on these institutions. Officials or citizens rejecting a summons from the House or councils can be sentenced to one year in jail for contempt.

Rafiudin said mayoralties would have full authority to make their own policies as long as they were in line with the law and the Constitution. Provinces would have limited autonomy regarding inter-regional affairs such as those on roads, rivers and forests.

He said provinces, regencies and mayoralties would receive permanent income from fixed sources, mainly taxes, and from those stipulated by the legislation on fiscal balance.

Several governors have demanded a greater share in the state budget allocation given their relatively poor populations compared to their contribution to the national economy through local resources. (rms)