Govt footdragging on special autonomy

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