China

II. The System of People's Congress

I. The nature and position of the system of people’s congress The system of people’s congress is an organizational form for the state power in China. It is China’s fundamental political system. The power in the People’s Republic of China belongs to the people and the organ for the people to exercise state power is the National People’s Congress and local people’s congresses at all levels. The National People’s Congress (NPC) and local people’s congresses are established through democratic elections, responsible to and supervised by the people. State administrative, judicial and procuratorial organs are created by, responsible to and supervised by the people’s congresses. The National People’s Congress is the highest organ of state power. Local people’s congresses are local organs of state power. II. The National People’s Congress 1. The composition and term of office of the NPC The NPC is composed of deputies elected from the provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government and deputies elected by the armed forces. Deputies to the NPC are organized into delegations according to the units they are elected from. Each delegation is headed y a chairman and vice chairmen. All the ethnic minorities are entitled to appropriate representation. The NPC is elected for a term of five years. The Standing Committee of the NPC must ensure the completion of election of deputies to the succeeding NPC two months prior to the expiration of the term of office of the current NPC. Should extraordinary circumstances prevent such an election, it may be postponed and the term of office of the current NPC extended by the decision of a vote of more than two-thirds of all those on the Standing Committee of the current NPC. The election of deputies to the succeeding NPC must be completed within one year after the termination of such extraordinary circumstances. The NPC meets in session once a year and is convened by its Standing Committee. A session of the NPC may be convened at any time the Standing Committee deems it necessary or when more than one-fifth of the deputies to the NPC so propose. 2. The functions and powers of the NPC The NPC exercises the following functions and powers: (1) to amend the Constitution; The amendment of the Constitution shall be proposed by the Standing Committee of the NPC or more than one-fifth of the deputies to the NPC and can only be adopted by a majority of no less than two-thirds of the deputies to the NPC. (2) to supervise the enforcement of the Constitution; (3) to enact and amend basic laws governing criminal offences, civil affairs, the state organs and other matters; (4) to elect the President and the Vice President of the People’s Republic of China; (5) to decided on the choice of the Premier of the State Council upon nomination by the President, and on the choice of the Vice Premiers, State Councilors, Ministers in charge of ministries or commissions, the Auditor-General and the Secretary-general of the State Council upon nomination by the Premier; (6) to elect the Chairman of the Central Military commission and, upon nomination by the Chairman, to decide on the choice of all other members of the Central Military Commission; (7) to elect the President of the Supreme People’s Court; (8) to elect the Procurator-General of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate; (9) to examine and approve the plan for national economic and social development and the report on its implementation; (10) to examine and approve the state budget and the report on its implementation; (11) to alter or annul inappropriate decisions of the Standing Committee of the NPC; (12) to approve the establishment of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government; (13) to decide on the establishment of special administrative regions and the systems to be instituted there; (14) to decide on questions of war and peace; and (15) to exercise such other functions and powers as the highest organ of state power should exercise. (16) The NPC has the right to remove the following functionaries: 1) The Chairman and Vice Chairman of the People’s Republic of China; 2) The Premier of the State Council, the Vice Premiers, State Councilors, Ministers in charge of the ministries or commissions, the Auditor-General and the Secretary-general of the State Council; 3) The Chairman, Vice Chairman and other members of the Central Military Commission; 4) The President of the Supreme People’s Court; and 5) The Procurator-General of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate. III. The Standing Committee of the NPC The Standing Committee of the NPC is the permanent organ of the NPC. When the NPC is not in session, the Standing Committee performs the right of the highest organ of state power. It is responsible to and reports to the NPC. 1. The composition and term of office of the Standing Committee of the NPC The Standing Committee of the NPC is composed of the Chairman, Vice Chairmen, Secretary-general and members. Ethnic minorities are entitled to appropriate representation on the Standing Committee. The NPC elects and has the power to recall members of the Standing Committee. Those on the Standing Committee shall not serve in state administrative, judicial and procuratorial organs. The term of office of the Standing Committee corresponds with that of the NPC and it shall exercise its power until a succeeding Standing Committee is elected by the succeeding NPC. The Chairman and Vice Chairmen of the NPC shall not serve more than two consecutive terms. 2. The functions and powers of the Standing Committee The Standing Committee of NPC exercises the following functions and powers: (1) to interpret the Constitution and supervise its enforcement; (2) to enact and amend laws, with the exception of those which should be enacted by the NPC; (3) to partially supplement and amend, when the NPC is not in session, laws enacted by the NPC provided that the basic principles of these laws are not contravened; (4) to interpret laws; (5) to review and approve, when the NPC is not in session, partial adjustments to the plan for national economic and social development or to the state budget that prove necessary in the course of their implementation; (6) to supervise the work of the State Council, the Central Military Commission, the Supreme People’s Court and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate; (7) to annul those administrative rules and regulations, decisions or orders of the State Council that contravene the Constitution or the law; (8) to annul those local regulations or decisions of the organs of state power of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government that contravene the Constitution, the law or the administrative rules and regulations; (9) to decide, when the NPC is not in session, on the choice of Ministers in charge of ministries or commissions, the Auditor-General or the Secretary-general of the State Council upon nomination by the Premier of the State Council; (10) to decide, upon nomination by the Chairman of the Central Military Commission, on the choice of other members of the Commission, when the NPC is not in session; (11) to appoint or remove, at the recommendation of the President of the Supreme People’s Court, the Vice Presidents and Judges of the Supreme People’s Court, members of its Judicial Committee and the President of the Military Court; (12) to appoint or remove, at the recommendation of the Procurator-General of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, the Deputy Procurators-General and the procurators of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, members of its Procuratorial Committee and the Chief Procurator of the military procuratorate, and to approve the appointment or removal of the chief procurators of the people’s procuratorates of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government; (13) to decide on the appointment or recall of plenipotentiary representatives abroad; (14) to decide on the ratification or abrogation of treaties and important agreements concluded with foreign states; (15) to institute systems of titles and ranks for military and diplomatic personnel and of other specific titles and ranks; (16) to institute state medals and titles or honor and decide on their conferment; (17) to decide on the granting of special pardons; (18) to decide, when the NPC is not in session, on the proclamation of a state of war in the event of an armed attack on the country or in fulfillment of international treaty obligations concerning common defense against aggression; (19) to decide on general mobilization or partial mobilization; (20) to decide on the imposition of martial law throughout the country or in particular provinces, autonomous regions, or municipalities directly under the Central Government; and (21) to exercise such other functions and powers as the NPC may assign to it. 3. Organs of the Standing Committee The Chairman of the Standing Committee of the NPC directs the work of the Standing Committee and convenes its meetings. The Vice Chairmen and the Secretary-general assist the Chairman in his work. The Chairman, Vice Chairmen and Secretary-general constitute the Council of Chairmen which handles the important day-to-day work of the Standing Committee of the NPC. The Standing Committee of the NPC establishes a deputy credentials examination committee to examine the credentials of the deputies to the current NPC through by-elections and those newly elected to the succeeding NPC. The credentials examination committee is composed of the chairman, vice chairman and members, nominated from among the members of the Standing Committee by the Council of Chairmen and agreed upon by the plenary session of the Standing Committee. The NPC establishes special committees to examine, discuss and draw up relevant bills and draft solutions under the direction of the NPC and its Standing Committee. When the NPC is not in session, its special committees work under the direction of the Standing Committee of the NPC. The 9th NPC has established nine special committees, namely the ethnic groups committee, the law committee, the finance and economic committee, the education, science, culture and health committee, the foreign affairs committee, the overseas Chinese committee, the civil and judicial affairs committee, the environment and resources protection committee and the agriculture and rural areas committee. Normally, the special committees are chaired by Vice Chairmen or members of the Standing Committee of the NPC. The NPC and its Standing Committee may, when they deem it necessary, appoint committees of inquiry into specific questions and adopt relevant resolutions in the light of their reports. IV. Local people’s congresses and their standing committees People’s congresses are established in provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government, autonomous prefectures, counties, autonomous counties, cities, municipal districts, townships, ethnic townships and towns. Standing committees are established at people’s congresses at and above the county level. 1. The term of office of local people’s congresses The term of office of people’s congresses of provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government and cities divided into districts is five years. The term of office of the people’s congresses of counties, autonomous counties, cities not divided into districts, municipal districts, townships, ethnic townships, and towns is three years. 2. The functions and powers of local people’s congresses Local people’s congresses at various levels ensure the observance and implementation of the Constitution and the law and the administrative rules and regulations in their respective administrative areas. Within the limits of their authority as prescribed by law, they adopt and issue resolutions and examine and decide on plans for local economic and cultural development and for the development of public services. Local people’s congresses at and above the county level shall examine and approve the plans for economic and social development and the budgets of their respective administrative areas and examine and approve the reports on their implementation. They have the power to alter or annul inappropriate decisions of their own standing committees. The people’s congresses of provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government, of cities which are capitals of the provinces or autonomous regions as well as large cities approved by the State Council have the right to adopt local regulations in the light of their regional political, economic and cultural characteristics. Local people’s congresses at their respective levels elect and have the power to recall governors and deputy governors, or mayors and deputy mayors, or heads and deputy heads of counties, districts, townships and towns. Local people’s congresses at and above the county level elect and have the power to recall presidents of people’s courts and chief procurators of people’s procuratorates at the corresponding level. The election or recall of chief procurators of people’s procuratorates shall be reported to the chief procurators of the people’s procucratorates at the next higher level for submission to the standing committees of the people’s congresses at the corresponding level for approval. 3. The composition, functions and powers of the standing committees of local people’s congresses The standing committee of a local people’s congress at and above the county level is composed of a chairman, vice chairmen and members, and is responsible and reports on its work to the people’s congress at the corresponding level. A local people’s congress at or above the county level elects and has the power to recall members of its standing committee. No one on the standing committee of a local people’s congress at or above the county level shall hold office in state administrative, judicial and procuratorial organs. The standing committee of a local people’s congress at or above the county level discusses and decides on major issues in all fields of work in its administrative areas; supervises the work of the people’s government, people’s court and people’s procuratorate at the corresponding level; annuls inappropriate decisions and orders of the people’s government at the corresponding level; annuls inappropriate resolutions of the people’s congress at the next lower level; decides on the appointment or removal of functionaries of state organs within the limits of its authority as prescribed by law; and, when the people’s congress at the corresponding level is not in session, recalls individual deputies to the people’s congress at the next higher level and elects individual deputies to fill vacancies in that people’s congress. The standing committees of people’s congresses of the provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government, cities which are capitals of provinces or autonomous regions as well as large cities approved by the State Council have the power to adopt local regulations in the light of the local regional political, economic and cultural characteristics, when the people’s congresses at the corresponding level are not in session. V. People’s congresses of townships, ethnic townships and towns The term of office of people’s congresses of townships, ethnic townships and towns is three years. Such a people’s congress establishes a presidium headed by the chairman and vice chairmen. The presidium is responsible for convening the meetings of the people’s congress. The functions and powers of the people’s congresses of townships, ethnic townships and towns mainly include the following: 1. The power to examine and decide on major issues To decide on the plans for the construction of local economy, cultural undertakings and public understandings, in accordance with national plans; to examine and approve local financial budgets and report on the implementation of the budgets; and to decide on the implementation plans for civil work in their own regions. 2. The power to elect, appoint and remove local functionaries To elect or recall the heads and deputy heads of the townships, ethnic townships and towns. Candidates for the heads and deputy heads of the townships, ethnic townships and towns are to be nominated by the presidiums of the people’s congresses or no less than ten deputies. The presidiums or more than one-fifth of the deputies to the people’s congresses of the townships, ethnic townships and towns may propose the removal of the above-mentioned functionaries when the people’s congresses are in session. The proposal of removal are submitted to the congresses by the presidiums. All elections are by secret ballot. 3. The power of supervision To examine the work report of the governments of the townships, ethnic townships and towns, annul their inappropriate decisions and decrees, and recall or remove functionaries making up the governments of the townships, ethnic townships and towns. VI. Deputies to the people’s congresses 1. The election of deputies Deputies to the NPC are elected by the people’s congresses of the provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government and by the armed forces. Deputies to the people’s congresses of the provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government and cities divided into districts are elected by the people’s congresses at the next lower level. Deputies to the people’s congresses of counties, cities not divided into districts, municipal districts, townships, ethnic townships and towns are elected directly by the electorates. 2. The rights of the deputies (1) During the session 1) Right to draft proposals for bills; 2) Right to raise suggestions, criticisms and put forward opinions; 3) Right to vote in election and decide on appointment; 4) Right to examine issues; 5) Right to propose the recall of functionaries; 6) Right to raise bills for questioning and conduct hearings; 7) Right to draft suggestions; 8) Right to vote; and 9) Right to impunity. (2) Not in session 1) Right to maintain contact with original voting units; 2) Right to inspect; 3) Right to propose provisional sessions; 4) Right to audit other meetings; 5) Right to participate in committees for investigating specified issues; 6) Right to sit in meetings of the people’s congress and its standing committee of the original unit the deputy is elected from; 7) Right of special protection of the person; and 8) Right to privileges for deputies.

China

I. The Constitutional System

The Constitution is the fundamental law of the state. The existing Constitution was adopted for implementation by the 5th Session of the 5th National People’s Congress on December 4, 1982. Amendments were made to the Constitution respectively at the 1st Session of the 7th National People’s Congress on April 12, 1988, the 1st Session of the 8th National People’s Congress on March 29, 1993 and the 2nd Session of the 9th National People’s Congress on March 15, 1999. I. Major stipulations in the Constitution in regard to China’s political system 1. Major political principles in China (1) The Communist Party of China is the country’s sole political party in power. The People’s Republic of China was founded by the Communist Party of China which is the leader of the Chinese people. (2) The socialist system The socialist system led by the working class and based on the alliance of the workers and farmers is the fundamental system of the People’s Republic of China (3) All rights belong to the people All the power in the country belongs to the people who exercise their power through the National People’s Congress and local people’s congresses at all levels. The people manage the state, economy, culture and other social affairs through a multitude of means and forms. (4) The fundamental task and goals of the state To concentrate on the socialist modernization drive along the road of building socialism with Chinese characteristics; to adhere to the socialist road, persist in the reform and opening up program, improve the socialist system in all aspects, develop the market economy, expand democracy, and improve the rule of law; to be self-reliance and work hard to gradually realize the modernization of the industry, agriculture, national defense, science and technology so as to build China into a strong and democratic socialist country with a high degree of cultural development. (5) Democratic centralism The organizational principle for the state organs is democratic centralism. (6) The armed forces of the people The armed forces of the People’s Republic of China belong to the people. The tasks of the armed forces are to consolidate national defense, resist invasion, defend the country, safeguard the people in their peaceful work and life, take part in the country’s economic construction and strive to serves the people. (7) To govern the country through the rule of law All individuals, political parties and social organizations must abide by the Constitution in all their actions and shall not be privileged to be above the Constitution or the law. All acts in violation of the Constitution and law must be investigated. The rule of law is practiced to build China into a socialist country with the rule of law. (8) The system of ethnic regional autonomy All ethnic groups are equal. All prejudice and oppression against any ethnic group is forbidden. All behaviors harmful to ethnic unity and aimed at ethnic separation are forbidden. 2. The position and rights of the citizen in the political life of the country (1) All citizens are equal before the law. (2) The right to vote and stand for election All citizens who have reached the age of 18 have the right to vote and stand for election, regardless of ethnic status, race, sex, occupation, family background, religious belief, education, property status or length of residence, except persons deprived of political rights according to law. (3) The freedom of speech and thought All citizens enjoy freedom of speech, of the press, or assembly, of association, of procession and of demonstration (4) The freedom of religious belief Citizens enjoy the freedom of religious belief. No state organ, public organization or individual may compel citizens to believe in, or not to believe in, any religion. (5) Inviolable freedom of the person No citizen may be arrested except with the approval or by decision of a people’s procuratorate or by decision of a people’s court, and arrests must be made by a public security organ. Unlawful detention or deprivation or restriction of citizens’ freedom of the person by other means is prohibited, and unlawful search of the person of citizens is prohibited. The personal dignity of citizens is inviolable, so are their residences. (6) Freedom of correspondence The freedom and privacy of correspondence of citizens are protected by law. No organization or individual may, on any ground, infringe upon citizens’ freedom and privacy of correspondence, except in cases where, to meet the needs of state security or of criminal investigation, public security or procuratorial organs are permitted to censor correspondence in accordance with procedures prescribed by law. (7) The right to criticize and make suggestions Citizens have the right to criticize and make suggestions regarding any state organ or functionary. They have the right to make to relevant state organs complaints or charges against, or exposures of, any state organ or functionary for violation of the law or dereliction of duty. (8) The right to compensation Citizens who have suffered losses as a result of infringement of their civic rights by any state organ or functionary have the right to compensation in accordance with law. (9) The right to work Citizens have the right as well as duty to work. The state should, through various channels, create conditions for employment, enhance occupational safety and health, improve working conditions and, on the basis of expanded production, increase remuneration for work and welfare benefits. (10) The right to welfare Citizens have the right to material assistance from the state and society when they are old, ill or disabled. The state and society ensure the livelihood of disabled members of the armed forces, provide pensions to the families of martyrs and give preferential treatment to the families of military personnel. The state and society help make arrangements for the work, livelihood and education of the blind, deaf-mutes and other handicapped citizens. (11) The right to receive education Citizens have the right and duty to receive education. (12) The freedom to engage in academic studies and literary creation Citizens have the freedom to engage in scientific research, literary and artistic creation and other cultural pursuits. (13) The equality of men and women Women enjoy equal rights with men in all spheres of life, in political, economic, cultural, social and family life. (14) Both husband and wife have the duty to practice family planning. (15) Citizens have the obligation to pay taxes in accordance with the law. (16) Citizens have the obligation to perform military service and join the militia in accordance with the law. II. The interpretation and revision of the Constitution and the system of supervision of its implementation 1. The right of interpretation of the Constitution The right to interpret the Constitution rests with the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. 2. The amendment of the Constitution The National People’s Congress holds the right to make amendments to the Constitution. The revision of the Constitution shall be proposed by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress or more than one-fifth of the delegates to the National People’s Congress and it must be approved by a two-thirds majority of a session of the National People’s Congress. 3. The system of supervision The National People’s Congress has the duty to supervise the enforcement of the Constitution. The National People’s Congress has the right to change or withdraw interpretations to the Constitution by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.

Johnson admits to coke and dope past

Boris Johnson has confirmed he took cocaine while at university, as well as smoking cannabis.

The Conservative MP, and frontrunner in the race to be London mayor, has alluded to drug use in the past but characteristically bumbled his way out of giving a firm answer.

In an interview with Marie Claire magazine, Mr Johnson has now admitted his past drug experiences, but said he "thoroughly disagrees" with drugs.

The revelations risk reopening questions about David Cameron's own drug use, who has said he had a "normal student experience".

The Conservative leader has refused to be drawn on previous allegations, insisting politicians are entitled to a private life before entering politics.

The Tory leader declined to refute allegations made in a biography that he was nearly expelled from Eton for using cannabis.

Interviewing the Henley MP for the magazine, Janet Street Porter asked him about his past allusions to cocaine use.

"Well, that was when I was 19. It all goes to show that sometimes it's better not to say anything," Mr Johnson replied.

"I thoroughly disagree with drugs. I don't want my kids having drugs."

On a 2005 episode of Have I Got News For You Mr Johnson said he was given cocaine once "but I sneezed and so it did not go up my nose."

"In fact, I may have been doing icing sugar."

Mr Johnson also said it was "true" he had smoke dope.

"But the stuff you and I may have smoked is not the same as what the kids are having now," he added.

The would-be mayor added that he thought skunk was "very, very dangerous".

Iraq, Five Years Later

It was five years ago today that George Bush decided to invade the Nation of Iraq and overthrow the government. Five years later, Iraq has devolved into a dangerous, chaotic country with almost no security. Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have been killed and millions more have become refugees.

People will argue about whether Iraq is getting safer, but the bottom line is this: The United States has absolutely no right to be there!

Iraq has no nuclear weapons, no chemical weapons, and they pose no threat to the safety and sovereignty of the United States. They never did.

We need to bring our soldiers home and stop meddling in the affairs of other countries.

Is Brian Cowen going to be Ireland’s Gordon Brown?

Irish politics is set for major change following Bertie Ahern’s announcement today that he will step down as Prime Minister and Fianna Fáil leader on 6th May. Ahern has been a giant of the modern Irish scene, having been Taoiseach since 1997 and the first three-time election winner since De Valera, as well as playing a major role in the peace process in Northern Ireland.

Ahern’s speech can be seen here and follows recent intense probing into his personal finances by a judicial tribunal into planning corruption, and Cabinet ministers suggesting that Ahern address the mounting disquiet. Brian Cowen looks a virtual certainty to succeed him, and there could even be a Brown-style “coronation”. Ahern to Cowen has parallels with Blair to Brown - the charismatic, triple-election winning PM being replaced by his dour Finance Minister.

With Cowen being less voter-friendly than Ahern and the “Celtic Tiger” economy starting to slow, Fine Gael under Enda Kenny must be in a strong position to win the next Dáil election in combination with Labour, their traditional allies. However, an election is not due until 2012, and there does not appear to be any immediate threat that the FF-Green-PD government (supported by some “gene-pool” independents) will collapse.

Minnesota senator declares for Obama

Sen. Barack Obama has won over another freshman senator and superdelegate, this morning getting an endorsement from Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota.

Mrs. Klobuchar said she is backing her Illinois colleague over Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton because "continuing to stay silent would be awkward," she told reporters during a conference call.

She cited the big crowds he attracted before winning Minnesota's caucus by 34 points, and said the "enthusiasm and idealism" she witnessed at his events was "simply impossible to contain." Mrs. Klobuchar called Mr. Obama a "new kind of leader" who can "dissolve" the cynicism of President Bush's administration and who offers a "new perspective."

She also called Mrs. Clinton of New York a "friend," saying she hopes the primary contest continues.

"The Democratic Party is truly blessed this year with two candidates.

"I believe that Senator Clinton has every right to continue her campaign," Mrs. Klobuchar said, after a weekend during which many Obama supporters called for his rival to end her bid.

The latest endorsement, on the heels of critical backing from Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, brings Mr. Obama's superdelegates total to 220. Mrs. Clinton has 251, including her most recent from Rep. John P. Murtha of Pennsylvania.

Superdelegates will help decide the Democratic nomination. They are local party activists, state elected officials and members of Congress.

Indonesia Structure

STATE ORGANS

According to the 1945 Constitution there are six organs of the state:

1. The People's Consultative Assembly (Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat).
2. The Presidency.
3. The House of Representatives (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat).
4. The Supreme Advisory Council (Dewan Pertimbangan Agung).
5. The State Audit Board (Badan Pemeriksa Keuangan).
6. The Supreme Court (Mahkamah Agung).

Law Making Process

The 1945 Constitution states that the House of Representatives is the body of the State. The Government submits bills to the House for consideration and approval, but members of the House can initiate their own bills. Such bills must be accompanied by an explanatory memorandum, signed by at least 30 members, and submitted to the Speaker of the House. During the discussion of the proposed bill, the initiating members may make alterations or withdraw it.

If the House passes the bill, it will become law when it has obtained the signature of the President. By authority of the President, the Minister/State Secretary will publish the Act in the State Gazette of the Republic of Indonesia and henceforth the Act comes into force.

Local Government

The structure and organization of local governments follow the pattern of the national government. On the national level, the President is the Chief Executive and works with a cabinet of ministers. Next to the national executive is the House of Representatives, with whom the government enacts laws and determines the national budget.

Similarly, the Governor is the Chief Executive in the province and works with a staff of regional officials. Side by side is the provincial legislative, with whom the regional government concurs on regional legislation and decisions on the budget.

On the district (Kabupaten) and municipal (Kotamadya) levels, the Chief Executives are respectively, the Bupati (district head) and Walikota kodya (mayor). Again, the Bupati/Walikota kodya concurs with the local legislative on matters relating to local government regulation and the budget. Both provincial and district municipality governments are granted autonomy.

Where the President is the Head of State, the Governor is the Head of the Province and concurrently represents the Central Government in his region. Similarly, the Bupati/Walikota kodya is the Head of the Kabupaten/kotamadya and concurrently represents the Governor in his district/municipality.

The procedure of appointing a governor is as follows: The provincial legislature elects two or three candidates. The election result is reported to the national government, via the Minister of Home Affairs. The winning candidate is then appointed Governor by the President on the recommendation of the Minister.

In a similar way, the Kabupaten/kotamadya legislature elects two or three candidates to be proposed to the Minister of Home Affairs. One of these then is appointed Bupati/Walikota kodya, by the Minister on the recommendation of the Governor.

Below the district municipal level the administrative units are not autonomous. These are the Kecamatan, or Sub-District Administrations and the Kelurahan, or the Village Administrations. The Kecamatan is an administrative sub-division of the Kabupaten or Kotamadya. It is headed by a Camat. The Kecamatan office is in charge of the administration of the sub-district, social welfare and economic affairs. Some national government departments have branches in the Kecamatan office.