Papua likely to seek referendum over MRP<\/p>\n
Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
Papua will probably return its special autonomy status to Jakarta
\nand, instead, demand for a self-determination ballot for the
\nprovince's future, if the government decides to establish Papuan
\nPeople's Assemblies in Papua and West Irian Jaya, Papuan leaders
\nsay.<\/p>\n
The Papuan delegates made the statement in response to
\nPresident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's plan to celebrate Christmas
\nin Papua on Dec. 26 and simultaneously hand over a government
\nregulation on the establishment of Papuan People's Assembly (MRP)
\nin Papua and West Irian Jaya.<\/p>\n
The people comprising religious leaders, politicians,
\ncommunity leaders, student and women activists were here to
\nconvey the Papuan people's concern over the recent controversial
\ndecision by the Constitutional Court on the judicial review of
\nLaw No. 45\/1999 on the formation of West and Central Irian Jaya
\nprovinces and several new regencies in Papua.<\/p>\n
Barnabas Manna Chan, an informal leader and tribal chief in
\nManokwari, said community and religious leaders and activists in
\nPapua were determined to give the special autonomy back to
\nJakarta and call for a referendum to determine the province's
\nfuture.<\/p>\n
He said the special autonomy given to quell the increasing
\ndemand for a self-determination ballot in the province in 1999,
\nhad not yet been enforced while the province had been split into
\ntwo in an apparent attempt to weaken the separatist movement.<\/p>\n
\"If the President brings a government regulation on the
\nestablishment of two MRPs in Papua and West Irian Jaya, the
\nPapuan people will turn down it and, instead, call for a
\nreferendum to determine Papua's future,\" he said, saying the
\nPapuan people were fed up with Jakarta's political ploys in
\ndelaying the implementation of regional autonomy.<\/p>\n
He said the Constitutional Court's decision has caused
\nconfusion among people in Papua.<\/p>\n
The Court ruled on Nov. 11 that Law No. 45\/1999 on the
\nestablishment of Central and West Irian Jaya provinces violated
\nthe Constitution, but at the same time it recognized the
\nexistence of West Papua province since it had already established
\nits own provincial legislature and elected its representatives in
\nthe House of Representatives.<\/p>\n
Rev. Herman Awom, deputy chairman of Evangelical Churches in
\nPapua, said the Papuan people were confused not only by the
\nConstitutional Court's decision, but mainly by the lack of
\ncommitment from Jakarta to implement the special autonomy and
\nsolve the prolonged issue.<\/p>\n
\"Jakarta has disbursed the autonomy funds, but declined to
\napprove the regulation on the planned establishment of the MRP,
\nthe highest institution in the implementation of special autonomy
\nin the province,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Ani Sabani, a woman activist from Manokwari, said the special
\nautonomy was ineffective in cementing Papua as an integral part
\nof Indonesia because Jakarta did not recognize Papua's uniqueness
\nas stipulated by the law.<\/p>\n
\"If Jakarta wants to improve services to the people it should
\nform more new regencies and not new provinces because the
\nregional autonomy is concentrated in the regencies and
\nmunicipalities,\" she said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/papua-likely-to-seek-referendum-over-mrp-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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