JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – The House of Representatives (DPR) Commission II on regional autonomy and domestic affairs has proposed 65 new autonomous regions. Observers, meanwhile, launch critics over the plan.
Agun Gunanjar Gunarsa, Head of the House Commission II, revealed 65 proposed new autonomous regions consist of 8 new provinces and 57 new regencies/municipalities.
Agun, Golkar Party politician, said 8 new provinces are Sumbawa province, South Papua province, Central Papua province, Southwest Papua province, Tapanuli province, Nias province, Kapuas Raya province, and Bolaang Mongondow Raya province.
Arif Wibowo, Deputy Head of the House Commission II, meanwhile, added that 65 proposed new autonomous regions were selected from over 200 new autonomous regions proposed to the House.
Arif, PDI-P politician, said 65 proposed new autonomous regions will be discussed altogether with the central Government represented by the Minister of Home Affairs.
In the counterpart, Siti Zuhro, regional autonomy observer from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), again launched her criticism over the upcoming regional division plan. He noted the existing autonomous regions have failed to stand as a region.
Previously, the House and the central Government had passed 15 new autonomous regions from 19 new autonomous regions. Then, the country will have 34 provinces and 508 municipalities and regencies in a decade of regional autonomy project. (haryantos@yosefardi.biz)