Ryaas tenders his resignation from Cabinet

JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Administrative Reforms Ryaas Rasyid officially tendered his resignation on Monday, citing a disagreement with President Abdurrahman Wahid over the newly implemented regional autonomy.

The President did not comment after meeting with Ryaas on Tuesday, and palace officials said a formal statement would be made on Wednesday.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting at Merdeka Palace, Ryaas said there had been "differences of opinion" between him and the President over the formation of a special agency on regional autonomy.

"There is a need for a special body to handle regional autonomy. He (the President) sees the need for such a body, but we have differences on its formation," Ryaas, who is known as the architect of regional autonomy, said.

Abdurrahman rejected Ryaas' idea of establishing a powerful autonomy supervisory board, instead opting for a lower-level directorate general under the home affairs ministry.

Presidential spokesman Wimar Witoelar said Abdurrahman would study the resignation at least until Wednesday.

"Since Pak Ryaas is known to be a man of high integrity, his resignation will be carefully examined," Wimar said.

Wimar said there had been "principal differences of opinion" between Ryaas and Abdurrahman on how to implement regional autonomy.

"The difference is such that he (Ryaas) feels it is irreconcilable, so he has to resign from the Cabinet," Wimar said.

Ryaas' resignation on Monday was not unexpected, as he had been hinting that he would step down since early last month.

Ryaas, who said he would return to academia, had in the past warned that in its current form regional autonomy was doomed to failure.

He complained that the necessary regulations were not in place and that politicians at the regional level only cared about the decentralization of authority and a bigger share of natural resources revenue.

Ryaas also maintained he still supported the President, but added: "If we can't solve the differences, I had better resign."

Regional autonomy was largely aimed at defusing separatist sentiments in the outlying provinces and ending decades of exploitation by the central government.

But there has been widespread concern that the regions simply are not ready for greater independence.

Later on Tuesday, Ryaas told journalists at his residence that the meeting with Abdurrahman was very cordial and friendly.

"The President has promised to give me an answer tomorrow. It was a friendly talk between me and the President. Gus Dur even joked a lot," he remarked, referring to the President by his nickname.

"Gus Dur also revealed his plan to establish a special agency on regional autonomy. He also revealed his reasons for not appointing me as minister of home affairs and regional autonomy," Ryaas said with a smile.

According to Ryaas, the President said there would be conflict if he was appointed to that post.

Rumors have been circulating that Ryaas might be offered the home minister post. But on Tuesday he played down such talk, saying both the President and Vice President had yet to decide whether to accept his resignation.

Separately, political observer Andi Mallarangeng said the resignation was a professional matter and had nothing to do with politics.

"If the resignation gives a bad impression of the solidity of the Cabinet, it was not Pak Ryas who made it this way," Andi said.(02/byg)