President Jokowi Dissolves Sidoarjo Mudflow Mitigation Agency
In order to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the implementation of government affairs, the Government deems it necessary to dissolve a non-structural agency – the Sidoarjo Mudflow Mitigation Agency (BPLS). On the basis of these considerations, President Joko Jokowi Widodo, on 2 March 2017, signed a Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 21 of 2017 on Dissolution of the BPLS. “With this Perpres, the BPLS is dissolved,” reads Article 1 of the Perpres.
Under the Perpres, the implementation of the tasks and functions of the BPLS will be carried out by the Ministry overseeing the public works.
Meanwhile, when it comes to the financing, employees, equipment and documents of the BPLS, under the Perpres, they will be shifted to the Ministry overseeing the public works in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations. “The transfer as intended shall be coordinated by the Ministry of the Empowerment of State Apparatus and Bureaucratic Reform, involving elements of the Civil Service Agency (BKN), the Development Finance Comptroller (BPKP), the National Archives of the Republic of Indonesia (ANRI) and the Ministry of Finance,” reads Article 3 paragraph (3) of the Perpres.
Article 3 (4) of the Perpres stated that the transfer as intended shall be completed within 1 (one) year at the latest from the date of enactment of the Perpres.
When it comes to the financing for the dissolution of the BPLS, according to this Perpres, it shall be imposed on the State Budget.
In addition, with the dissolution of the BPLS, the handling of social problems by way of purchasing lands and/or buildings of the communities affected by mudflow in Sidoarjo with payment in stages in accordance with the Map of Affected Area dated 22 March 2007, as contained in the annex which is an inseparable part of the Perpres, with the deed of purchase and sale which include proof of land ownership which contained land area and location approved by the Government, is still being carried out by PT. Lapindo Brantas. “The lands and/or buildings, which are in the area of ??the handling of mudflow outside the Map of Affected Area dated 22 March 2007 in which the purchase is borned in the State Budget in the handling of social problems in the region, constitute the State Property (BMN),” reads Article 5 point (b).
Meanwhile, the costs and expenses for the efforts to reduce mudflow, the move of mud into the Porong River, infrastructures, including infrastructure for the handling of mudflow in Sidoarjo, and the costs and expenses for mitigation measures to protect the public safety and infrastructure, shall be charged to the State Budget and other lawful funding sources.
At the time of the Perpres comes into force, Presidential Regulation No. 14 of 2007 on the BPLS as last amended by Presidential Regulation No. 33 of 2013 is revoked and declared invalid. “This Presidential Regulation shall apply as of the date of its enactment,” reads Article 7 of Presidential Regulation No. 21 of 2017, promulgated by the Minister of Law and Human Rights, Yasonna H. Laoly, on 6 March 2017. (Media Centre/ES) (MUR/YM/Naster).
