VP criticizes regional autonomy law

JAKARTA (JP): Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri strongly criticized Law No.22/1999 on regional autonomy on Wednesday saying that it was against the 1945 Constitution's principle of a unitary state.

In her opening speech at a workshop at the Ministry of Home Affairs attended by governors throughout the country, Megawati underlined that Indonesia is a unitary state and it will never acknowledge the presence of small "states" within the country.

"We've noticed many excessive practices of regional autonomy because Law No.22/1999 does not share the same principles with the 1945 Constitution, which the law should have been based on," Megawati said.

She cited an article in the law which says that a province is not superior to a regency, thus breaking the hierarchical relationship between them.

"Now we're already seeing signs of 'rebellion' by the regencies toward the provincial government, which should have authority over the regencies," Megawati remarked.

The regional autonomy law was introduced during the reform era to placate regional calls for a greater say in their own natural resources and development.

However, many have expressed disappointment over its implementation saying that it has not been carefully thought through and has only created confusion.

The government has already stated its intention to revise the law.

She further lamented that the concept of the annual accountability speech of each governor to the provincial councillors, had been used by certain groups as a political tool to topple the governor and create instability.

"The (constant) change of the regional head will only create instability in the area. The accountability of the region's head should be given at the end of their tenure, except in exceptional circumstances," the Vice President said.

"I expect there to be a conceptual revision of the law as soon as possible," Megawati said.(dja)