42 MRP members elected, soon to be inaugurated

Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura

Ignoring public opposition, an election committee announced on Wednesday that 42 Papuans had been elected to serve on the Papuan People's Council (MRP). The 42 people -- consisting of 14 traditional leaders, 14 religious leaders and 14 women -- will be inaugurated on Oct. 29 in Jayapura by the Minister of Home Affairs, Mohammad Ma'ruf, said the chairman of the MRP election committee Tony Rahail on Wednesday.

The 42 members were chosen by public to represent 14 constituencies across the province, with 28 representing women and tribal communities, and the remaining 14 representing religious communities. Each constituency is determined based on cultural similarities.

Separately, another member of the MRP election committee said that although all of the newly elected MRP members had been accepted by the MRP election supervisory board, problems still prevailed in Constituency VIII, which included Bintang Mountain and Yahukimo regencies.

Nefram Samber, the MRP Election Supervisory Board chairman, said that although Fransiska Okmonggop from Yahukimo regency had been chosen by the public, her name had not been included on the list of people representing the regency as she hailed from the Muyu tribe of Merauke, West Irian. The committee finally chose Orpa Yakame, who was considered a true representative of Yahukimo regency. Despite the problem, the election of MRP members went ahead.

The election of MRP members had earlier drawn criticism from the Papua opposition. Fadel Al Hamid, secretary to the Papua Tribal Council, said the MRP election did not reflect the true wishes of the people. He pointed for example to an MRP representative from Serui, Yapen Waropen regency, who had been chosen by officials from the National Unity Office of the Yapen Waropen administration. "The appointment was illegal. The government has ignored the people's aspirations," said Fadel.

The establishment of the council is mandated by Papuan Special Autonomy Law (No. 21/2001). Under this legislation, the council has the power to approve candidates for the governorship and for membership of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) for Papua, and express considerations in this regard, as well as give recommendations and approval for any form of cooperation between the Papuan administration and other parties.

Several quarters have alleged that the inauguration of the MRP members has been expedited to facilitate those running for the Papua governorship next month.