Sunday, June 02, 2002 10:18:02 AM

Regions Ready to Fix Autonomy Implementation

Laksamana.Net - Local administrations from across the country have welcomed the government’s decision not to revise the regional autonomy law and promised to ensure the legislation is implemented correctly. 

The Association of Regional Administrations (Apkasi), at a national meeting in Jakarta on Thursday (30/5/02), pledged to examine and rectify problematic aspects of the implementation of the law. 

"We will be consistent in carrying out the decisions of the national meeting, so that its results will really felt by the people,” Apkasi chairman Syaukani was quoted as saying by the Kompas daily. 

“This is no longer the time for mass debating, which is sometimes unproductive. We are already committed to implementing regional autonomy," he added. 

Home Affairs Minister Hari Sabarno on Wednesday announced the government had revoked a previous decision to review Law No.22/1999 on Regional Administrations. 

The government has been under pressure from the business community to revise the controversial law because of the regions’ power to impose additional taxes on natural resources and other commodities. 

Another problem is that mining investors may have to sign new contracts with regional governments, while their previous contracts with the central government may not be honored. 

There have also been conflicts of interest between mining, forestry and maritime resources. 

Former director general of regional autonomy Sudarsono had said the law needed to be revised because of various irregularities concerning regional elections and the provision of funds for local budgets. 

The regions had been strongly opposed to a draft amendment to the law that would have given the president power to dissolve regional legislative assemblies.