: Formation of new provinces 'unwanted'

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Indo Neocolonialism : Special Autonomy

: Formation of new provinces 'unwanted'
By Jakarta Post.com
Jan 27, 2008, 18:29

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Formation of new provinces 'unwanted'
National News - Thursday, January 24, 2008
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The House of Representatives has unanimously endorsed its initiative to
create eight new provinces and 13 new regencies, while local figures say the
plan will not benefit the people affected.

Septer Manufandu, the executive secretary of the Cooperation Forum of
Non-Governmental Organizations, said Papuan people did not need new
provinces but better public services.

"The formation of new provinces might be aimed at accelerating development
in Papua, but whether it will materialize remains a big question.

"Everybody knows Papua is the territory that endured the longest period of
violence in the country, and the central government is eager to curb
movements that are linked to separatism by splitting the province," Septer
told The Jakarta Post.

The House approved Tuesday the formation of four new provinces in Papua,
along with two provinces in Aceh and another in Sulawesi.

The endorsement came despite the government's call for the suspension of
regional division, citing budget constraints and findings that many newly
established administrative regions lacked the capability and resources to
provide basic services to their people. Home Minister Mardiyanto has said
the government will amend a regulation on regional division and
incorporation, which will apply stricter requirements for regional division.

If the House's decision takes effect, Indonesia will have 41 provinces and
over 500 regencies and municipalities.
Septer said Papua, home to 2 million people, had long been deprived of basic
services. He said the special autonomy measure of 2002 had not improved
public services despite the huge funds channeled to the natural
resources-rich province.

"About 90 percent of the special autonomy fund has gone to the bureaucracy,
which means Papua does not need new provinces but access to basic services.
Regional division will only create little kings who only seek money," he
said.

Papua is home to one of the world's biggest gold mining companies, but
nearly 80 percent of its population is poor.
To improve public services, Papua needs new districts and subdistricts more
than regencies or provinces, Septer added.

The government pushed for the creation of West Papua province in 2004
without approval from the Papua People's Council as mandated by the 2002 law
on special autonomy for the province. The most recent proposal for new
provinces in Papua has never received the council's endorsement either.

Law expert Mawardy Ismail of Syah Kuala University in the Aceh capital of
Banda Aceh said the creation of new provinces in the country's westernmost
territory was untimely and would only levy heavier burdens on the Aceh
people.

"The regional division is disadvantageous. Aceh will no longer be united and
will lose much of its bargaining power," Mawardy told Antara, adding that
unity was all Aceh people needed to rebuild the province following years of
conflict and the killer tsunami waves of 2004.

Demand for creation of new provinces in Aceh had mounted as peace talks were
underway to end the armed conflict in the 4-million-person province.
Mawardy said Aceh people would have to spend extra on a budget to
financially support the new provinces. The law on regional administration
requires mother provinces to support newly established regions for two
years.

Mawardy said the formation of new provinces in Aceh could be classified as a
breach of the 2006 law on Aceh government, which aims to protect Aceh unity.

Newly formed regions
Provinces:
1. Central Papua
2. South Papua
3. Southwest Papua
4. West Papua
5. North Kalimantan
6. South Aceh Barat
7. Aceh Leuser Antara
8. East Sulawesi

Regencies:
1. Arfak Mountains (Papua)
2. Grime Nawa (West Papua)
3. South Manokwari (West Papua)
4. Banggai Laut (Central Sulawesi)
5. North Morowali (Central Sulawesi)
6. East Kolaka (Southeast Sulawesi)
7. West Muna (Southeast Sulawesi)
8. Kota Raha (Southeast Sulawesi)
9. Central Mamuju (West Sulawesi)
10. North Musi Rawas (South Sumatra)
11. Penukal Abab Lematang Ilir (South Sumatra)
12. Rokan Darussalam (Riau)
13. Pesisir Barat (Lampung)

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: Formation of new provinces 'unwanted'