Govt footdragging on special autonomy

JAYAPURA, Papua: The Papua legislative assembly urged the central government on Thursday to speed up the issuance of a government regulation, which establishes and regulates special autonomy status for the province.

Leading figures in Papua Council Yance Kayame and Agustin Iwanggin Tanamal said the draft of the decree was submitted to the minister of home affairs over a year ago.

But, as of this week, the minister has not yet responded to the request or passed on the draft to the president for approval, they complained.

Kayame said that the issuance of the decree was urgent as it was needed to ensure that Papuan autonomy could work effectively.

"There are many drafts of regency and provincial bylaws which cannot be deliberated in the absence of the official regulation," said Kayame.

According to Kayame, the Papuan legislators plan to visit Jakarta to convey their demands directly to President Megawati Soekarnoputri. -- JP