“THE REGIONAL AUTONOMY AS AN ACCELERATION in ACHIEVING MDG

IN INDONESIAN”

BY
DR. LAODE IDA, DEPUTY SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REGIONAL
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA

AT SIXTH ASIAN WOMEN PARLIAMENTARIANS AND MINISTERS’ CONFERENCE

September 23-24, 2008
ULAN BATOR

INDONESIA IN THE REFORM ERA

Earlier prior to the reform, the House of Representatives (DPR RI) was
the only legislative institution in Indonesia. However after the third
amendment to the 1945 Constitution, there was another institution that
came under the name of the House of Regional Representatives of the
Republic of Indonesia (or DPD).

This is the first time since the inception of DPD RI was established in
2004; the whole 128 representatives were elected directly by the people in
the General Election 2004. Every province is therefore represented by four
members regardless of the population size of the respective provinces which
is totally 32 provinces for the term of membership is 5 years. The existence
of DPD RI is expected to be able to bridge the interest for both central and
local government as well as to strive for interests and the aspirations of the
people in developing and decision making in political agenda as well as in
the national development policy. Now, let me explain my views on the topic
that I would like to draw entitled “THE REGIONAL AUTONOMY ENTRUSTED
TO ACCELERATE IN THE MILLENIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS TO BE
ACHIEVED BY 2015 THROUGH THE INDONESIAN DEVELOPMENT GOALS
IN INDONESIA”

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 In its Strategic Plan of DPD RI 2004-2009, it has formulated a blue
print to make sure that DPD RI as a new institution will achieve its goals, to
increase the development of the regions and to strengthen our nation’s
democracy, at large with the plan of actions as follows:
1. Regional Autonomy and the Balance of Power between the central and
regional governments in the framework of equitable economic
development and utilization of natural resources for public prosperity in
the regions.
2. Realization of the right of the public in the regions to basic services in
education and health
3. Realization of justice, Gender Equality and Social Guarantee for
Children’s welfare
4. Protection and promotion of Traditional Rights and Local Culture.
5. Fulfilling and applying Religions Value that can provide answers to
problem faced by the nation.
6. Increase the effectiveness of policies to eradicate corruption and reduce
Mismanagement of Funds in the state institution.
7. Considerations and Advice to the DPR RI on the drafts State Budget
8. Oversight of the implementation of the State Budget and the State Audit.

It is followed by the already existing the Decentralization as a tool to achieve

the above mentioned plan of action.

DECENTRALIZATION

I convey before the Conference of Women Parliamentarian, the DPD

RI’s role is clear to actively involve in bridging between the central and
regional government in order to accelerate the development for the people
welfare concerned through decentralization and regional autonomy policy.
The policy of decentralization and regional autonomy has been implemented
since 2001, three years prior to the inception of DPD RI itself. Therefore, I
would like to reiterate that decentralization is not the end, but merely a
mean to achieve the end.

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 Nevertheless in achieving and accelerating the development of the
people’s welfare in the region once should be delegated clearly the
authorities within the Nationals and the regions.

DISTRIBUTION OF AUTHORITY NATIONAL AND LOCAL

However central government still intend to give such a guidance and an

assistance in order to running the roles of respective local government in
assigning their duties. The DPD RI always consult and observe every Heads
of Region (Governors) concerned to have a serious and truly care, be
responsible and determine to sustain their authorities respectively.

National Authority:

1. Foreign Policy
2. Security and Defend
3. Justice
4. National Monetary & fiscal
5. Religion

Local Authority:
1. Education;
2. Health;
3. Public Works;
4. Housing;
5. Landscaping ;
6. Development Planning;
7. Transportation;
8. Environment;
9. Lands Management;
10.Population and Civil Administration;
11.Woman Empowerment & Children Protection;

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 12.Family Planning & Family Welfare;
13.social;
14.Man Power and Transmigration affairs;
15.Co-operation and Small and middle enterprises;
16.Investment;
17.Culture and Tourism ;
18.Youth and Sport;
19.National Resilience and internal politics affairs ;
20.Regional autonomy, general Government, local finance administration,
local government institution, local civil servant administration, &
Sandi affairs;
21.Community and Village Development;
22.statistic;
23.Archive Affairs
24.Library;
25.Communication and information;
26.Agricultures and food resilience ;
27.forestry;
28.Energy and mineral resources;
29.Fishery and marine resources;
30.Trading
31.Industry.

THE IMPORTANT ROLES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT

WHO ARE LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Fortunately, with the active participation and oversee the

implementation of policy by the executive level, DPD RI succeeded in
advising them that for the theme of 2008 Annual Government Work Program
is in relation to Goal One of MDGs as its target, entitled ‘Acceleration of

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economic growth to alleviate poverty and unemployment’ which based on 8
development priorities is determined, namely:
1. Improvement of investment, export and employment opportunities
2. Revitalization agriculture, fishery, forestry and rural community
development
3. Acceleration of infrastructure development and energy management
4. Improvement of access and the quality of education and health
5. Improvement of poverty eradication effectiveness
6. Corruption eradication and acceleration of the bureaucracy reform proces
7. Strengthening of the defence capabilities and stabilities of internal
security
8. Disaster handling and reduction of disaster risks, as well as the
improvement of avian flu alleviation.
In 2000, The Millennium …..saw 189 world leaders agree to a set-time
bound and measurable goals and targets relating to poverty. These were
named the MDGs. Goal one of MDGs is to halve the number of people living
in extreme poverty by 2015. That’s only 8 years away; the time to act is now
Therefore, the 2008 state budget law is always based on the above
mentioned priorities, and it would be automatically reflected funding into the
achievement of MDGs program in 2015.

BEST PRACTICE CASES REGARDING MDGs]

Excellencies,
Honourable Women Parliamentarians and Ministers,
Ladies and Gentleman,

The central government budget provides high priority on poverty

eradication program, including the fast improvement of the budget of
Department of Education, Department of Health and Department of
Religious Affairs. With the decentralization, the responsibility on education
and health has been delegated to the regional government. This
synchronizing politics, programs and allocation of state and regional budget

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has to be continuously improved to achieve a better and effective
development.

From the chart shown on the screen and in achieving the target of
MDGs particularly on given agenda MDG 3,4 and 5 have been minimum
reached so far. Although in achieving the whole programs of IDGs as well as
MDGs will be a tendency to gain a success but DPD RI still faces several
problems in making the roles of respective region success in national policy
making, which is clearly back up by the relevant regulations. This is because
the internal problems are appeared.

Before I conclude my explanation, it is not exaggerate that various

innovations implemented by the regions in creating best practices providing
prime services and enhancing governments quality. Some regions have
implemented e-government into their government public services, thus
enhancing efficiency effectiveness and at the same time government
transparency. This is the essence of good governance which is the
characteristic of a modern government. Good governance must also become
the characteristic of regional autonomy of Indonesia.

HYPOTHETICAL FRAME WORK TO ACHIEVE

Furthermore, in implementing policies in enhancing people welfare and
infrastructure development, regional government have employed strategies of
budget utilisation for correct objective and uses increasing budget allocation
for the regions is intended to implement in a consistent purpose to reduce
poverty.

As former UN Secretary General Kofi A Annan, message to the Fifth Asian

and Pacific Population Conference in Bangkok 2002, quoted as follows:
“The MDGs particularly the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger,
cannot be achieved if questions of population and reproductive health are
not squarely addressed, and that means stronger efforts to promote woman’s

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right, and greater investment in education and health, including health and
family planning”.

PROBLEM
Apart from the above explanation to pinpoint that recently, income per
capita is increasing annually. In 2004, income per capita reached US$ 1.186
but in 2007 it reached US$ 1.946 or an increase of 64 percent within 3
years. This figure is higher than that achieve before the 1998 economy crisis.

Meanwhile, Indonesia gross domestic product (GDP) in 2007 reached

IDR 3.957 Trillion. Which such a GDP, Indonesia is included in the list of 20
countries with the highest GDP. Thus, we have been freed from crisis yet
there are still many challenges that we have to deal with ahead. Those
achievements encourage us to step toward a glorious future, I suppose.

WHAT NEXT?

Once again the task of the DPD RI here is to encourage the relevant
qualification authorities and registration bodies to co-operate and work
towards a time line and process of deriving mutual acceptance of related
qualifications and work experience in order to better facilitate skill
exchanges which will improve regional economic prosperity, including
acceleration in achieving MDGs.

Thank you for your kind attention and patience to follow this
explanation.

To this end, the regional governments are obliged to provide basic services
for the people, particularly in education, health and public facilities in
accordance with the minimum standard of service. The education budget is
annually increased. Furthermore in the budget year 2009, the government is
determined to meet the 45% allocation of the state budget for education. The
increase of education budget would be realized in the form of more improved
and accessible quality and access to education, particularly in the primary
and secondary education level.

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History shows that great nations are nations which are able to develop their
human resources. Human development through education and health is one
of the keys elements to achieve those objectives.

Nowadays all regions, whether provinces or regencies/municipalities that

have allocated additional fund for School Operational Assistant, so that
students are free from all kinds of changes. DPD will act as a bridge to
pursue the regional governments to follow the measures of the central
government in meeting the constitutional mandate by allocating minimum
20% of their budget for education.

Furthermore, the budget for health and basic infrastructure is continuously

improved to provide better quality service and access to the people,
particularly in the health sector; the government prioritize basic health
service in remote regions by increasing and strengthening Community
Health Centre (PUSKESMAS) and integrated Services Units (POSYANDU) as
well as providing incentives to doctors and paramedics assigned in those
areas.

In another occasion DPD RI can provide input to the regional government

while at the same time bridge the gap between the central and the regional
governments. Thus management of authority and regional finances can truly
operate well and be in synergy with the policies of the Central Government
pursuant to the regulation in force and in line with the interest of the people
whom DPD RI represent, It is by meant that every member of DPD RI
represents the people in the regions who directly vested them the mandate to
voice their interest.