Camelia Pasandaran, Jakarta – Disappointed at the slow pace of regional development, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Thursday vowed to make amends by disciplining regional leaders who failed to perform.

"I have to have the tools to discipline regional heads so that they perform their duties well," he said during a cabinet meeting at the Presidential Palace.

"After six years leading the nation, it is time to correct this, otherwise we will stray further down the wrong path. Democracy doesn't mean unlimited freedom. We must exercise responsibility in running the country, in order for the people to get the maximum benefit from the system we chose," he said.

Yudhoyono added he had received information regarding poor regional governance through letters and text messages, as well as through visiting the regions in question.

"Our Constitution states that the president holds the authority to govern," he said. "Although regional leaders are elected directly, be they governors, district heads or mayors, they're still part of the government and the president is the one who holds sway over them all."

Yudhoyono added that it was his obligation to ensure that regional leaders were fulfilling their duties. "The right policies, the large budgets, our seriousness – all of this would mean nothing if at the implementation stage things are missing here and there," Yudhoyono said.

He said that regional leaders, especially at the district and municipal levels, often adopted policies that later turned out to negatively impact many sectors, citing the case of coal mines that polluted the environment. "Regional budgets that have been approved by local legislatures often miss the target and are excessive," he added.

While reshuffling the cabinet to replace underperforming ministers was one way to improve regional governance, Yudhoyono went on, the case with governors, district heads and mayors was different because they were elected by their constituents.

"We're also talking about discipline and integrity," he said. "I can only temporarily suspend them in legal cases."

Home Affairs Minister Gamawan Fauzi said he would seek ways to punish elected regional officials through a revision of the law on regional governance, which is scheduled for deliberation at the House of Representatives later this year.

"The president should have the power to warn and remind, as well as to punish regional leaders, to ensure that the country is run effectively," Gamawan said. The minister declined to elaborate on the possible form the punishment might take.

Earlier this year, Yudhoyono called for better relations between the central government and regional administrations, saying many of the government's programs failed at the regional level due to lack of coordination.

He also urged legislators to monitor the performance of governors and district heads with a critical eye.