Respect the wishes of Yogyakartans: House speaker

The government must respect the wishes of Yogyakartans on the special status of their region, House speaker Priyo Budi Santoso said.

“The will of Yogyakartans, reflected in the regional legislative council (DPRD) and the protests on Malioboro, is real and pure and must be appreciated by all sides,” he said.

The Yogyakarta representative council held a meeting Monday to protest the plan to revise Yogyakarta’s special status, which bestows automatic governorship to the sultan.

Yogyakartans also hit the streets to voice their opposition to the plan.

Priyo said no one should underestimate the wishes of Yogyakartans, as such a move could be counter-productive.

The minister of home affairs said Monday the government would continue discussing the draft on Yogyakarta’s special status. Those against it could follow the legal mechanisms available to contest the draft, as opposed to reacting heatedly, he said. (gzl)