The central government is quietly bracing itself for what it expects to be forthcoming, because the two government regulations (PP) signed by President Megawati on February 17, 2003 curb a number of local powers that the regencies and cities have only for a very short time been enjoying. The local administrations reject the move, however.

The two government regulations are PP No. 8/2003 on Guidelines on the Organization of Local Administratio