"The state recognizes the privilege of Yogyakarta as a local government that is different from other provinces," Yudhoyono said.
Yogyakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has stated that Law No.13/2012 on Yogyakarta`s Special Status reflects the state`s respect for the unique powers of the Yogyakarta local government.

"The state recognizes the privilege of Yogyakarta as a local government that is different from other provinces," he said at Gedung Agung in Yogyakarta on Monday, after inaugurating Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X as the Governor of Yogyakarta.

Yudhoyono noted that the law was "a juridical instrument for the democratic Yogyakarta Special Region government", which was put in place to ensure peace and prosperity for the people in the region.

"Along with that, I want to affirm that Yogyakarta is a major part of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI)," he said.

"Yogyakarta is an important part of the process of democratization and transformation of the nation that we are running today," the President added.

He pointed out that the special status granted to Yogyakarta was also part of the process of the establishment of the Republic of Indonesia.

"The Notice of September 5, 1945, of Sultan Hamengku Buwono IX and Adipati Paku Alam VIII, which declared the Sultanate of Ngayogya-Karto Hadiningrat as a part of the Republic of Indonesia, determined the existence of today`s NKRI," President Yudhoyono explained.

"Therefore, the government pays great attention to the privilege of the Yogyakarta Special Region," he said.

The President noted that the Law No.13/2012 on Yogyakarta`s Special Status was based on the principles of the recognition of the original rights, populism, democracy, `Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity), effectiveness of the government, national interests, and the utilization of local wisdom.

"The Law also gives privileges with regard to the institutional arrangement of the Yogyakarta government, the region's cultural development, its spatial and land arrangement, as well as funds," he said.

Under the law, Sultan Hamengku Buwono X and Adipati Paku Alam VIII were appointed as the Governor and Deputy Governor of Yogyakarta, respectively, for the 2012-17 period.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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