Government Rejects Proposals for New Autonomous Regions

Minister of Home Affairs Tjahjo Kumolo, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, and Minister of Agrarian and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency Sofyan Djalil attend the Public Hearing with the House of the Representatives Commission II, on Monday (3/10), in Jakarta

Citing financial factors, Minister of Home Affairs Tjahjo Kumolo on behalf of the Indonesian Government apologized
for not following up the aspirations from several regions that proposed the establishment of new autonomous regions (DOB).

“We, the Government, apologize for not being able to follow up the aspirations regarding the establishment of new autonomous regions and its preparations,” Tjahjo said in a meeting attended by Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, and Minister of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reforms Asman Abnur, Presidential Chief of Staff Teten Masduki, and the House of the Representatives Commission II on Monday (3/10), in Jakarta.

In the meeting led by Chairman of the House of the Representatives Commission II Rambe Kamarulzaman, Tjahjo said that so far, there are 213 proposals for the establishment of new autonomous regions.

Although the establishment of new autonomous regions will not burden the State Budget (APBN), it will burden the budget of the origin regions, Tjahjo said. Moreover, Tjahjo added, all regions are tightening the existing budgets, so it is impossible to use the budget for the plan. “Budget of origin regions cannot be cut. With the budget cuts, and the postponement of programs that should be implemented by the end of this year will be done next year, the budget is impossible to be split to fund the establishment of new autonomous regions,” Tjahjo explained.

Because the regions are now tightening their budget, it is impossible to divide one regency/city and split its budget. Therefore, if there is proposal for DOB, it will be followed with proposal for new budget, while the country is tightening the budget and make fiscal condition more efficient.

The Minister hopes Indonesia’s economy will improve next year so the establishment of new autonomous regions can be realized. “I think we should pray for a better economy next year, and the preparation of new autonomous regions which have been discussed three times in the meetings with Vice President Jusuf Kalla can come to an agreement,” Tjahjo concluded.

(Puspen Kemendagri/ES) (RAS/EP/YM/Naster)