Yogya governor praised for stepping aside

Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta
Remarks made by Yogyakarta's Sultan Hamengkubuwono X during a speech announcing he would not seek re-election as governor have been hailed by many as a promising sign for democracy in the province.
"It is a wise, noble statement from a local politician (and his remarks have) been perceived as being very difficult (for him considering) the changes (at the) national level," Bambang Cipto of Yogyakarta Muhammadiyah University's School of Social and Political Sciences told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.
His statement, according to Bambang Cipto, is particularly important amid the uncertainty over whether the province should maintain the status quo or conduct a democratic governor election like other provinces throughout Indonesia.
"We do hope this is a positive development, a good sign for a more democratic future in the region," Bambang Cipto said.
Political observer Ari Dwipayana of Gajah Mada University's School of Social and Political Sciences also said the sultan's statement was an important step toward the development of democracy.
"(The sultan's decision) should be seen as a way of reviving the position of the palace (as well as) a movement toward democratization -- as was shown in the past by Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX," Ari said.
Rector of Gajah Mada University Sofian Effendy said the sultan was doing the right thing by ending his run as governor, but remaining sultan, allowing the region to operate under a clear separation of powers.
The sultan announced his decision during a special event at Yogyakarta Palace over the weekend -- an event which also celebrated his 61st birthday.
Yogyakarta was declared a special region in 1950 and this status is clearly guaranteed by the 1945 Constitution, said Sofian.
"I think the sultan is doing the right thing because electing him as a governor actually means the specialty of Yogyakarta ... no longer exists."
Sofian said treating Yogyakarta exactly like other provinces in the country was a mistake.
He said the same mistake was made by lawmakers in Aceh -- a mistake which later led to the emergence of the GAM separatist movement.
What was needed was a government regulation giving a clear explanation about the special status of the province, he said.
"One way of ensuring this is by separating the functions of the head of the government and the head of Yogyakarta Palace -- like in a monarchy parliamentary system.
"(This) I think will make Yogyakarta much more attractive to investors as the existence of such a monarchy often contribute(s) a great deal (to) the political stability of a region."
Governor Sultan Hamengkubuwono said he would not seek re-election in 2008 when his term ends due to "a thorough spiritual consideration".
"With all my heart and soul I sincerely declare that I am not willing to take on the (position of) governor and regional leader of Yogyakarta special province after the 2003-2008 term."
His statement was made in front of more than 500 people attending the special event which was held at the palace's Pagelaran Hall.
"From (2008) on, I entrust the Yogyakarta community to the next governor," said the sultan, who was awarded the Saya Bangga Menjadi Orang Indonesia Award by noted spiritualist Anand Krishna's National Integration Movement over the weekend.
The sultan said it was necessary to look through historical documents stipulating the existence of Yogyakarta's government and people to prove the region's special status from other provinces in the country.
"The speciality has explicitly been stipulated in Article 18 of the 1945 Constitution, along with its amendments, so it's our task all together to clearly formulate the exact meaning of (it)," he said.
The sultan's weekend announcement was attended by State Minister for the Environment Rahmat Witoelar, Public Housing Minister Yusuf Ashari and several foreign ambassadors.