Susan Sim, Jakarta – As the architect of the regional autonomy laws that take effect throughout Indonesia today, Professor Ryaas Rasyid used to tell district officials that if he believed Jakarta was not serious about devolving its powers to them, he would resign his Cabinet post. He is about to do so.

Four months after his Regional Autonomy Ministry was folded into the Interior Ministry, at his suggestion, but then handed over to another colleague while he was shunted aside as the Administrative Reform Minister, Prof Ryaas is voting with his feet on his fears that the decentralisation process will be unnecessarily chaotic.

"I have professional reasons for resigning," he told The Straits Times on Saturday. "If I cannot be an effective minister and cannot contribute my ideas for reform, then what is the point of staying in the government?"

It is understood he wants to meet President Abdurrahman Wahid tomorrow to hand in his resignation. But it is not clear whether the Indonesian leader will accept his resignation immediately given the objections of Vice-President Megawati Sukarnoputri.

Sources suggest the minister's fate has become a battleground between the two estranged leaders, with the Vice-President trying to persuade Mr Abdurrahman to reverse some of his recent vetos which have led to Prof Ryaas' decision to resign.

One measure proposed by Prof Ryaas was meant to ensure that ministries in Jakarta could coordinate and supervise more efficiently the delivery of public services in all 350 districts and cities after today. He had also suggested the establishment of an independent central audit board to keep corruption in check.

Mr Abdurrahman has rejected both proposals despite previously endorsing them at a Cabinet meeting. But a source close to Ms Megawati told The Straits Times that an emissary she had sent to speak to Mr Abdurrahman reported that the President now appeared "open to accepting Pak Ryaas' ideas".

Although it is unlikely that an open rupture will appear if the President refuses Ms Megawati's request and accepts Prof Ryaas' resignation, it would become increasingly difficult to paper over their differences.

"I'll feel very, very unhappy if a breaking-off between the two leaders happens," Prof Ryaas said. "I might feel guilty all my life. But I'm in a very difficult position now."

Despite widespread speculation, there are no indications that the departure of this popular minister from South Sulawesi will trigger more Cabinet resignations.

But the President's opponents will certainly use it to showcase the weaknesses of his leadership, especially since Prof Ryaas is widely regarded as one of the few ministers with the requisite professional skills for his job.

Said a Western diplomat: "Ryaas is one of the finest ministers around. Frankly I'm surprised he even accepted the Administrative Reform post when the President did not make him Interior Minister in August."