Irian to be split into three support areas<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The province of Irian Jaya will be split into
\nthree regional support areas to be headed by a deputy governor,
\nrather than into three provinces as some people have suggested,
\nAntara reported yesterday.<\/p>\n
Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie SM said in Sorong, Irian
\nJaya, on Sunday that the new division was aimed at boosting
\neconomic development and facilitating administration.<\/p>\n
\"Hopefully, this will help accelerate economic development and
\nfacilitate administrative matters,\" Yogie said.<\/p>\n
He said that in accordance with Irian Jaya Governor Jacob
\nPattipi's suggestion, the new deputy governors would be natives
\nof the province and will be based at the governor's office in the
\nprovincial capital of Jayapura.<\/p>\n
The addition of two new deputy governors would raise the total
\nnumber to three; the existing deputy governor is Basyir Bachtiar.
\nHe did not mention when the new deputy governors will be
\nappointed.<\/p>\n
\"The government has no intention of adding a new province in
\nIrian Jaya,\" Yogie said. \"Splitting Irian Jaya into three
\nprovinces is theoretically easy, but it would be hard to
\nimplement, as it involves numerous conditions.\"<\/p>\n
The first step in this new development was yesterday's
\ninauguration of Sorong into an administrative city based on
\ngovernmental decree No. 1\/1994. During yesterday's ceremony,
\nYogie inaugurated Jonathan Anes Jumame as mayor.<\/p>\n
For many, the ceremony signaled an end to a long wait; the
\nproposal to establish Sorong as an administrative city was first
\nput forward in 1983.<\/p>\n
This will soon be followed by the initiation of the Timika and
\nEnarotali administrative regencies.<\/p>\n
The first support region comprises the Jayapura regency and
\nthe Jayapura mayoralty, along with the Jayawijaya and Merauke
\nregencies.<\/p>\n
The second support region consists of the Paniai, Yapen and
\nBiak Numfor regencies, along with the administrative regency of
\nEnarotali.<\/p>\n
The third support region includes the Manokwari, Sorong and
\nFak-fak regencies, along with the administrative regencies of
\nTimika and Sorong.<\/p>\n
Yogie added that the central government has also agreed to
\nupgrade the status of 28 areas into districts, bringing the total
\nnumber of districts in Irian Jaya to 145.<\/p>\n
There have been calls to divide Irian Jaya into three
\nprovinces on the grounds that it would foster greater unity among
\nthe Irianese people.<\/p>\n
Some observers have said that, while the called-for splitting
\nmay not be economically viable, it would be of great
\npsychological importance, and would enhance the defense and
\nsecurity situation there. (mds)<\/p>",
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