Soeharto tells officials to use their initiative

JAKARTA (JP): Regional development programs would not run smoothly and would cause unequal distribution if administrators relied heavily on government advice in the decision making processes, President Soeharto said yesterday.

The President told 120 top echelon officials taking part in an upgrading course on regional administration that in the era of globalization, self-reliance and initiative would play a major role in bringing about successful development programs.

"Autonomy will only come into existence smoothly and quickly if officials are given some of the administrative and development power," Soeharto said, adding that everybody must throw their weight behind the concept.

He said the government has vowed to activate public services and cut procedures by allowing regencies to represent the government in some local cases.

Vice President Try Sutrisno and Minister for Administrative Reforms TB Silalahi attended the opening of the one-day course at the State Palace.

"The Minister for Administrative Reforms has informed me that most complaints raised by people dealt with institutions, authority, delegation, service, finance, equipment and human resources," the President was quoted by Antara as saying.

Participants of the course were officials serving in Jakarta, provinces and regencies, including vice governors.

The government launched last year a greater regional autonomy trial run which gave 26 selected regencies a greater say in the running of their affairs.

Under the program, most matters previously handled by the central government were handed over to the authorities in the participating regencies.

There are 241 regencies and 56 municipalities in Indonesia. Administratively these fall under the 27 provinces, the first level of regional government.

Soeharto had earlier said the most important facet of the regional autonomy program was efficiency and harmony between the administration and socio-economic and cultural conditions.

The areas of responsibility handed over to the 26 regencies included health, fisheries, education and culture, public works, animal husbandry, home industries, public housing, land transport and tourism. The transfer of power to the regencies also included responsibility for personnel, equipment and budget planning.

The selected regencies, located on all major Indonesian islands and vital provinces, included Aileu in East Timor and Sorong in Irian Jaya. (amd)