PAN Legislators Say All Provinces In The World Have Governors: Where Did The Cak Imin Reference Come From?

Muhaimin Iskandar (Photo via Twitter)

JAKARTA - Member of Commission II of the DPR from the PAN faction, Guspardi Gaus, questioned the reference of PKB Chairman Muhaimin Iskandar who proposed the abolition of the governor's position because its function was ineffective. The reason is, in an outside country, there is no province that does not have a governor.

"So, where did Cak Imin's reference come from? Because there are no countries called provinces without governors," said Guspardi to VOI, Tuesday, January 31. "The point is based on references, there is no country that does not have a governor in a province. So if you eliminate it, it's something that someone who initiated it," he continued.

According to the West Sumatra electoral district PAN legislator, the lack of high function and budget effectiveness cannot be used as an excuse to abolish the governor's position. Instead, said Guspardi,

"Therefore, if he (assessed) does not have a function task (effective), then how to strengthen the position of governor as deputy in the central government. How to organize the province or governor regarding its function duties and authorities, that's what is meant," explained Guspardi.

"If the city district is regional autonomy, the level is in the city district, the province is the governor. If it is not considered that the function task is carried out to strengthen the governor's position," he continued. Guspardi said, to provide reinforcement on the governor's functions and duties, a formulation is needed. For example, by making an in-depth study by discussing with various circles. Because, if the governor's position is eliminated, who will be the mediator between the local government at the district and the central government.

"If it is eliminated, will the central government be able to control, coordinate according to the duties of the central government to the regional government? This means that what needs to be formulated is the governor's duties and functions," he said. "Regarding the question of whether the governor's election, distinguished by the election of regents, mayors and presidents, is another problem. The issue of the large cost of the governor's election is another problem. Don't worry because of the big cost, the function is not clear, finally (disappeared). This is what the arrangement must do, the mechanism is whether the electoral election is the same as the presidential election and the election. The election needs more in-depth study," added Guspardi.

Including, it must be studied if there is a proposal that the governor is elected through the DPRD again, not directly by the people. The study, according to him, is to determine which benefits are the harm.

"The logic is like this, which is a big cost issue, it needs a study, don't turn the needle back. What needs to be formulated and so on. Therefore, an in-depth study is needed whether a discussion, workshop, surveys are applied or anything in order to produce a formula, a solution for the governor's position. Is it still as now chosen by the people or through the DPRD," said Guspardi. "In the past, the governor was elected through the DPRD, the central government has never chosen it. So do a study on this issue, what is the profit and loss, how is the sovereignty of the people, which are the many benefits or disadvantages," he concluded.