VP criticizes regional autonomy law

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)