Kalla seeking to restore Papuan confidence<\/p>\n
Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
Vice President Jusuf Kalla has again proved himself to be a more
\nthan competent mediator, bringing together officials from Papua
\nand the central government on Thursday and prodding them into an
\nagreement on the legal basis for the controversial formation of
\nWest Irian Jaya province.<\/p>\n
The central government was represented at the negotiations by
\nCoordinating Minister for Political, Security and Legal Affairs
\nWidodo A.S., home minister Moh. Ma'ruf and National Police chief
\nGen. Sutanto. The delegation from Papua consisted of Governor
\nJaap Solossa, provincial legislature speaker John Ibo and the
\nchairman of the newly established Papuan People's Council (MRP),
\nAgus Aluwe.<\/p>\n
The two sides were able to agree that the formation of West
\nIrian Jaya must be based on Law No. 21\/2001 on special autonomy
\nfor Papua.<\/p>\n
As part of this agreement the formation of West Irian Jaya,
\nwhich already has a provincial administration and legislature,
\nwill be rediscussed by the provincial legislature and
\nadministration under the legal framework of the special autonomy
\nlaw.<\/p>\n
This law states that the partitioning of Papua into two or
\nmore provinces requires the approval of the provincial
\nlegislature, the governor of Papua and the MRP.<\/p>\n
Returning to the issue of West Irian Jaya's creation opens the
\npossibility of reversing the partition, particularly given that
\nmany Papuans have been extremely vocal in their opposition to the
\nnew province. Lots of Papuans also oppose the special autonomy
\nlaw itself, as well as the controversial 1969 vote that
\nofficially made the territory a part of Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Aware of this possibility, Kalla flexed his mediation muscles
\nto secure a win-win solution for both sides and to convince the
\nPapuan officials that this process would benefit all Papuans.<\/p>\n
Ignoring an earlier Constitutional Court decision on West
\nIrian Jaya, Kalla was convinced (by the Papuan delegation) that
\nthe Papuan provincial legislature, the governor and the MRP would
\napprove the establishment of West Irian Jaya, if the central
\ngovernment issued a government regulation in lieu of law (Perpu)
\nas the legal basis for the new province's existence.<\/p>\n
The Perpu would replace Law No. 45\/1999, which led to the
\nformation of West Irian Jaya. That law was annulled by the
\nConstitutional Court last November because it violated Papua's
\nspecial autonomy law, though the court declined to strike down
\nthe province's creation.<\/p>\n
It is hoped that replacing the law with a Perpu would close
\nthe door on all future questions regarding the legality of the
\nprovince.<\/p>\n
Partitioning Papua into two provinces would weaken the
\nsecessionist movement in the region and help the military and the
\npolice better manage security and defense in the two provinces.<\/p>\n
The agreement also paved the way for the first direct
\ngubernatorial election in West Irian Jaya, following two delays.
\nKalla's Golkar Party will be the likely favorite to win the
\nelection when it is finally held, giving it even more power in
\nthe area.<\/p>\n
Papua Governor Solossa and his deputy Constant Karma, two
\nsenior Golkar members in Papua, have already announced they will
\nrun for reelection. Yorris Raweyai, another Golkar member, will
\nrun in the gubernatorial election in West Irian Jaya.<\/p>\n
After having already played an important role in promoting
\npeace in Aceh (Helsinki agreement), Ambon (Malino peace pact I)
\nand Poso (Malino peace pact II), Kalla is eager to improve
\nconditions in Papua and pave the way for foreign investment in
\nthe region.<\/p>\n
Political stability and security would also encourage local
\ninvestors and Sulawesi traders to expand their businesses in
\nPapua and West Irian Jaya.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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