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any have paid too much attention to the heated debate over the controversial bill on regional elections, but have overlooked the equally crucial bill on regional governments, which, if passed, will put an end to the phenomenon of little kings that has tarnished regional autonomy.

Unlike the divisive deliberation of the regional election (Pilkada) bill, the regional government bill looks to win unanimous support from factions at the House of Representatives given their common agenda of seizing back the authorities awarded to local governments under the disguise of national unity. It is the second time the Regional Government Law has been amended since its inception in 2001, when politicians considered regional autonomy a fair deal to fend off demands for federalism.

The latest revision will allow the President to dismiss local leaders for violating the law or misbehavior and severely punish them for failure to set up efficient bureaucracies, leaving their territories without the central government'€™s consent or practicing nepotism in filling positions in public offices. It seems the bill will straighten the line of command in public administration and, as President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono puts it, provide favorable management of local administrations for economic development and investment in the regions.

The bill underlines the role of the President as the head of state and government who oversees governors, regents and mayors. The existing law enables the President to suspend or discharge regional heads only after a political process at the local legislative councils. The current law gives no room for punishment for errant regional leaders courtesy of their election by the people.

To some extent, direct elections have strengthened regional leaders'€™ bargaining power vis-à-vis the central government, but sadly they have sent the wrong message that they can do whatever they want, including rejecting Jakarta'€™s oversight, in the name of the people'€™s mandate. To retain the mandate, certain regional leaders have promoted policies to please the majority at the expense of minorities, as seen with the enactment of sharia-based bylaws.

Such discriminatory ordinances as well as local regulations that run counter to national policies have no place in the bill on regional governments. Regional autonomy and subsequent authorities awaiting regional leaders have indeed tempted them to abuse power. No wonder government officials who drafted the bill came to the conclusion that the implementation of regional autonomy was '€œexcessive'€ and, that therefore, tough measures were needed to put them back on the right track.

But here lies the danger of the bill. Stiff punishments, including dismissal, are the manifestation of the power approach that Jakarta can exercise to silence regional leaders deemed critical or unfaithful. We cannot rule out such a possibility, as the motive behind a series of amendments to the Regional Government Law since 2004 has obviously been to strengthen Jakarta'€™s grip on regions.

The new law should not repeat past mistakes that triggered regional resentment, causing rebellion. Regional autonomy was then initiated to build the ties anew.

Little kings are gone, but not regional aspirations.