Regional autonomy laws to be revised
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)