Problems remain despite Sultan's term extension

Adianto P. Simamora ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Thu, 10/09/2008 10:26 AM  |  Headlines

The government on Wednesday issued a presidential decree that extends the tenure of Yogyakarta Governor Sultan Hamengkubowono X by three years, but experts say it will do nothing to resolve tensions between Jakarta and Yogyakarta.

Regional autonomy scholar Sadli Isra from Padang's Andalas University, and political analyst Daniel Sparringa from Surabaya's Airlangga University urged the government to make a decision on the status of Yogyakarta before the sultan's extended term in office ended.

"Three years is enough to resolve it. Any further delay would worsen relations between the government and the Yogyakarta administration," Sadli told The Jakarta Post.

He called on the government to handle the issue with care, or risk triggering new problems in other provinces enjoying regional autonomy.

"There must be a wise solution to avert conflicts, since most of our provinces were ruled as monarchies before being incorporated into the independent state of Indonesia."

The government revised the regional administration law in 2004 to allow for the direct election of leaders. The law also states a leader may serve for a maximum of two terms in office.

Tensions are high between the government and Yogyakarta, after the former proposed a bill on special status for the province, which critics say will belittle the sultanate's historic role.

The bill recognizes the role of the sultan of Yogyakarta and the head of Paku Alam principality as the protectors of local culture and heritage. However, it departs from the 1950 law enacted by founding president Sukarno, which says the sultan and the governor are inseparable -- a move made to honor the sultan's crucial role in the independence struggle.

The sultanate was the first sovereign state to pledge allegiance to the Republic of Indonesia, whose establishment was proclaimed on Aug. 17, 1945. Sukarno moved the capital from Jakarta to Yogyakarta during the war for independence in 1946.

On Tuesday, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono issued an extension of Hamengkubuwono's term as Yogyakarta governor, two days before his current term was due to expire on Oct. 9, while deliberations continued at the House of Representatives.

Airlangga University's Daniel said both Jakarta and Yogyakarta should start intensive negotiations to end the long-debated issue over the special privilege.

"It is a political negotiation. The government and Yogyakarta should seek a compromise and concrete results," he said.

Hamengkubuwono said he expected the House to pass the bill within the next three years, to provide legal certainty to the people of Yogyakarta.

Home Minister Mardiyanto agreed, saying he had asked the House to prioritize the bill's deliberation.

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