Regional autonomy needs transition period: Researchers
JAKARTA (JP): Regional autonomy, scheduled to become effective May 2001, urgently needs a transition period given the vulnerability to continued communal conflict, researchers said on Tuesday.
Laode Ida, chairman of the Center for Regional Development Studies (PSPK), revealed the results of the center's study of conflict-ridden regions such as Maluku, West Kalimantan, Aceh, and Irian Jaya.
However, he did not suggest a time frame for the transitional phase.
The study, conducted for one month from early March, focused on communal conflicts involving religious and ethnic differences, and conflicts involving the national elite, such as timber concessions.
Like other experts, Laode said regions were not yet ready for autonomy.
A science and regional autonomy expert from the National Development Planning Agency (BAPPENAS), Deddy Supriady Bratakusumah, echoed other observers, saying that despite shortcomings, implementing regional autonomy was inevitable.
"If the policy is postponed, demands for independence (in the regions) will be stronger," Deddy said, adding that regional autonomy had become a global trend.
Laode said that while the law will provide the regions with greater authority, regional power struggles involving religious and ethnic sentiments will continue, especially outside Java.
"Whichever local ethnic group is in power will show its arrogance, both politically and economically, generating horizontal conflicts. This could explode at anytime," Laode added.
Sociologist Thamrin Amal Tamagola from the University of Indonesia agreed, saying that ethnic groups who did not share power would go through a "minority syndrome".
Such groups will continue to be suspicious of any policy made by the majority.
Laode added, "There will be fights over natural resources between regencies because the autonomy law doesn't set limits for regional authority in natural resources exploitation."
He was referring to law no. 22/1999 on regional government, that relates to law no. 25/1999 on fiscal balance between the central and regional governments.
Regulations for the new law are still being drafted.
Laode also said that when the law comes into effect, locals' demands to reclaim their assets exploited by outsiders through arrangements with the central government will increase.
He was referring to controversial issues involving mining firms such as PT Freeport Indonesia in Irian Jaya and PT Newmont Minahasa Raya in North Sulawesi.
On Monday the Ministry of Mines and Energy disclosed that at least 16 foreign mining companies have delayed exploration activities due to uncertainty in security or for financial reasons.
Simon Sembiring, the director of mining development, said the outbursts of conflicts between local communities and mining firms are an expression of regional discontent over mining and timber operations.
The study of PSPK concluded that "the law could not be implemented uniformly in every region of the country and there should be special consideration for every region" because of their uniqueness in ethnic composition and natural resources.
If exploitation of natural resources continues to be perceived to benefit outsiders only, Laode said continued vertical conflicts could be expected. He was referring to conflicts between locals and business owners from outside. (08)