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Indonesian Minister of Defense: Bali Doesn’t Need Special Autonomy
Tuesday, 27 September, 2005 | 18:40 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:Indonesian Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono said that it is not necessary for the Balinese people to ask for special autonomy because Bali already had specific features as does the Special Region of Jogjakarta.

“Tourism and culture in Bali are already special. Why does Bali want to receive extraordinary treatment?” stated Sudarsono in Gianyar, Bali, on Tuesday (27/09).

According to Sudarsono, the wish of Bali to have special autonomy status is because of their feeling of injustice over regional and central finances. So, it will be irrelevant if Bali struggles for special autonomy. “The key is to fight for financial balance, not for other issues,” Sudarsono stated.

If the central government grants the wish of Bali to have special autonomy, even though the subject is still in the form of discourse in the House of Representatives (DPR), there will be problems in other regions. This matter will in turn disturb national stability. Therefore, it is best if Bali does not have such an aspiration. (Rilla Nugraheni-Tempo News Room)