Letter: Yes, governor needs more power

I read the article in The Jakarta Post on Dec. 4: “Governors want greater authority”  about a recent workshop attended by more than 300 persons including all 33 governors from across Indonesia.

As I see it, governors need to have more power. Local mayors have their sphere of local oversight and discretion. The central government has its overarching sphere of national and international decision-making. There must be a strengthened linkage between “local” and the “national” responsiveness and accountability — that is why the role of governor is to improve communication between the central government and the provinces.

Unless there is a listening ear and a firm guiding hand of leadership coupled with ample power to carry out complex decisions in a timely manner, the people’s interests aren’t being fully served.
 
James A. Marples
Longview, Texas