Regional Governments Must Consult Central Government on Bylaws: Home Affairs Minister

Minister of Home Affairs Tjahjo Kumolo

In wake of the recent raid of food stalls in Serang, Banten, by the city’s Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) officials, Minister of Home Affairs Tjahjo Kumolo told regional governments to consult with the Central Government and wait for its consent before issuing a bylaw.

According to him, many bylaws were issued without the knowledge of the Central Government.

As a result, he added, the Central Government finds out such bylaws only when a problem arises in the implementation, for example a bylaw banning food stalls to open during Ramadan that considered detrimental to the public.

“There is problem in the rules. Therefore, the bylaws appeared to be detrimental only when a case arises,” Tjahjo said in a meeting on the 2017 Draft of State Budget and Government Work Plan on Monday (13/6), at the Office of Commission II of the House of Representatives (DPR), Jakarta.

The repressive measures taken by the Satpol PP in Serang was a mistake because they should have conducted sympathetic measures and dissemination, rather than acting aggressively, Tjahjo added.

He also added that the way the Satpol PP officials seized the food at the food stalls was exceeded their authorities and it would have been better if they disseminated the sellers first and asked them not to sell food openly.

“The bylaw is applicable in Aceh and won’t cause problems because the special territory applies Sharia customs and laws. Meanwhile, food stalls may open during Ramadan in other regions with plural society provided that they open their stalls in a modest way. The sellers can attach curtain to cover the food display and let the door remain open,” Tjahjo explained.

The Minister instructed Director of Satpol PP at the Ministry of Home Affairs to immediately reprimand and warn Head of Satpol PP in Serang for their action.

“It should serve as a lesson for other heads of Satpol PP around Indonesia as well,” Tjahjo concluded. (Puspen Kemendagri/ES) (RAS/EP/YM/Naster)