Indonesia to Continue Deliberations on 15 Draft Laws for Kalimantan's Cities and Districts

The Indonesian Minister of Home Affairs, Muhammad Tito Karnavian, announced that the government has agreed to continue deliberations on 15 draft laws concerning districts and cities in West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, and South Kalimantan provinces. This was conveyed by Tito during a Level I Working Meeting discussing the 15 draft laws for districts and cities in the three provinces at the Parliament Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Monday (14/9). "Regarding these draft laws, in principle, the government certainly highly respects and appreciates the constitutional rights of the DPR RI to propose draft laws, and in principle, agrees," said Tito. The Minister of Home Affairs detailed that the 15 draft laws cover seven areas in West Kalimantan Province: Kapuas Hulu District, Sintang District, Pontianak City, Mempawah District, Sambas District, Sanggau District, and Ketapang District. Then, five areas in Central Kalimantan Province include Kapuas District, North Barito District, South Barito District, East Kotawaringin District, and West Kotawaringin District. Meanwhile, three areas in South Kalimantan Province include North Hulu Sungai District, South Hulu Sungai District, and Central Hulu Sungai District. Tito explained that there are several reasons underlying the government's approval for the deliberation of these 15 draft laws. Among them, the deliberations are considered to provide legal certainty and reduce the potential for debate regarding the legal basis for the formation of these regions. This is particularly related to the constitutional change from the Provisional Constitution of 1950 to the current 1945 Constitution. According to him, this legal certainty is important for local governments (Pemda) and their governance, including in the formation of various derivative regulations. "Starting from regional regulations, bylaws, usually will take legal basis. It's rather debatable if the legal basis is the Provisional Constitution, because the region was formed at that time based on that law. So with the current applicable law, the potential for debate, including legal polemics, can be overcome," Tito stated. Besides the legal certainty aspect, the Minister of Home Affairs mentioned that the deliberation of these 15 draft laws could also serve as an indicator of good and productive performance, especially in the implementation of the legislative functions of Commission II of the DPR RI together with the government. Furthermore, Tito emphasized that the government views that the deliberation of these 15 draft laws for districts and cities should remain focused on substance related to changes in legal basis, regional arrangement, and regional characteristics. Regional arrangement includes the names and coverage of district/city areas, regional boundaries, as well as the names and status of district capitals. Regional characteristics include geographical, natural resource potential, ethnic, and cultural aspects. He expressed hope that the deliberations could proceed effectively without delving into substance that could potentially cause prolonged debate. "We hope that in the future, the deliberations will not enter into sensitive substance, which then makes the revision of the law prolonged. We think that in principle, the government once again agrees to continue the deliberations on these 15 draft laws for districts and cities," concluded the Minister of Home Affairs.