Regional autonomy laws to be revised

SURABAYA (JP): Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno affirmed here on Tuesday that the regional autonomy laws put into effect early this year would soon be revised to resolve ongoing disputes among the provinces, as well as between provinces and the central government.

Speaking before East Java's regents, mayors, police and military leaders in the provincial capital, Hari said that the sections to be evaluated and revised would relate to the articles on regional administration law and the financial distribution between central and regional administrations, both created in 1999.

While he could not specify the provisions giving rise to controversy, the minister referred to various interpretations and systems of implementation of the laws within regions.

"Many regency administrations consider their areas as sovereign territories, so that even territorial waters are to be apportioned as exclusive zones," he cited as an example.

He told media that on Aug. 30 his ministry and relevant institutions would meet in a session with the Regional Autonomy Consultative Board (DPOD) to have a detailed discussion regarding an evaluation and revision of the laws.

The other institutions to be involved in the discussion include the House of Representatives (DPR), associations of regency, municipal and provincial administrations, and regional legislative councils (DPRD).

Hari Sabarno said that the function of governors as representatives of the central government in regions and their role as coordinators and supervisors of regional autonomy would be redefined.

"Our records show that around 3,000 regional regulations are not mutually supportive. If over 300 regencies and municipalities have different policies, the problem will be even more complicated, which makes the role of provincial administrations very important," he pointed out.

The minister added that various sectors had not yet been regulated in regions, including communications, marine resources, forestry and airport/seaport affairs, constituting a major issue for the future. (nur/arp)