Regional autonomy bill will go to House

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)