Yogyakarta's special status debated
Yogyakarta's special status debated
YOGYAKARTA (JP): A royal row is brewing here with President
B.J. Habibie likely having to decide whether someone other than a
descendant of the Yogyakarta aristocracy would be eligible to
become governor of the special province.
After a tough round of debate, which saw the Golkar and the
United Development Party (PPP) factions remaining steadfast in
their stance, the provincial legislature decided Saturday to
refer the matter to the central government in Jakarta.
"Since we could not come to an agreement we decided to throw
the matter to the president," said deputy speaker Khairudin.
The row revolves around the nomination of a new governor with
the recent retirement of Paku Alam VIII at the age of 91
according to the Javanese calender, or about 88 on the Gregorian
calender.
Paku Alam served as "acting" governor since the death of Sri
Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX in 1988.
The Golkar and Armed Forces factions, apparently with strong
public support, has nominated Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X as
their sole candidate for governor.
While nobody has formally opposed the royal candidate, some
have suggested that another candidate be nominated to make the
"election" more democratic in the spirit of reform.
The PPP has endorsed such a proposal and has nominated its
Yogyakarta chapter chairman, Alfian Darmawan, for the post.
But even the mere candidacy of someone other than a royal
descendent has been opposed by many who interpret a challenger,
symbolic or real, as a threat to the special status accorded to
Yogyakarta.
In appreciation of the ancient town's contribution to the
country's independence struggle, the government declared
Yogyakarta a special province on March 4, 1950 based on Law No.
3/1950, which strengthened a previous 1948 statute.
The special law granted the governorship of Yogyakarta to Sri
Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX.
Other provinces are governed by Law No. 5/1974, which
stipulates that governors be elected by the provincial
legislature for five-year terms with a maximum of two-terms.
The Golkar faction has argued that Yogyakarta's legal status
requires the governor to be selected from one of the province's
two aristocratic houses. The nomination and possible election of
someone other than a royal family member, it said, could result
in Yogyakarta losing its coveted status.
It had been widely perceived that the terms set out in the
1974 law pertaining to the provinces do not apply to Yogyakarta.
PPP appears to now be challenging this view.
"If we use Law No. 3/1950, then we recognize that there is a
distinctive protocol in the selection of a governor in
Yogyakarta," Khairudin said.
"If there is more than one candidate (other than Sri Sultan),
then there would have to be an election, which means the special
status would disappear," he added.
PPP legislator Herman Abdurrahman argued that the two initial
laws on Yogyakarta were superseded by the 1974 statute.
"If two names have been forwarded, then let's vote... If only
the Sultan is being forced as the sole candidate, then it would
be undemocratic," Herman said.
So far, the only public expression of support for Alfian has
come from PPP legislators themselves, while a crush of letters
and rallies have rained down on the legislature in support of Sri
Sultan.
Sri Sultan himself maintained that based on the initial laws,
the governor is determined by the president on the recommendation
of the two aristocratic houses -- the Yogyakarta Keraton (palace)
and the Pura (palace) Paku Alaman.
He argued that if the 1974 law was used for the province, then
all laws referring to Yogyakarta's special status should first be
abolished. (23/44)