Govt prepares regulation on W. Irian Jaya provinces

Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

In line with the Constitutional Court's verdict that upheld the creation of West Irian Jaya province, the government is drafting a law that will regulate the administration in the region.

Despite the absence of the law, the provincial government has confirmed it planned to hold the first-ever direct regional elections in six regencies simultaneously on July 28.

"The government is drafting a presidential decree that will cover all supporting (administrative) elements, including financial matters, for the province," Ministry of Home Affairs spokesman U. Sudirman said on Thursday.

The Constitutional Court revoked last year Law No. 45/1999 on the partition of Papua into Papua, West Irian Jaya and Central Irian Jaya provinces, but recognized the establishment of West Irian Jaya province on the grounds that the province was already functioning when the court delivered its verdict.

The judges took into account the existence of the administration, the legislative council and the election of members of the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) from West Irian Jaya.

The court also upheld Law No. 21/2001 on special autonomy for Papua, which would be effective also in West Irian Jaya, but asked the government to issue related regulations for the newly established province.

Direct elections for regents in West Irian Jaya are scheduled to take place next week in Fakfak, South Sorong, Kaimana, Teluk Bintuni, Teluk Undama and Rajaempat.

The speaker for the provincial council, Jimi Demianus Ijie, said on Wednesday that Sorong municipality and regency would hold its first elections in 2007, while the capital city of Manokwari would hold an election in September this year.

"I'm aware of the ongoing controversy over the elections because we have been unable to form the (Papuan People's Assembly) MRP as mandated by the special autonomy law for Papua," Jimi said.

"But Government Regulation No. 6/2005 on direct regional elections gives the provincial legislature the power to take over the jobs of the MRP, which include the selection of candidates for local leaders," Jimi said after a meeting with the ministry officials.

Ministry secretary-general Progo Nurdjaman, however, said the central government was still studying whether the direct elections could go ahead.

"We are still evaluating as to whether the elections will cause legal and political disputes in the future," Progo said.

The ministry has named its senior official, Timbul Pudjianto, as the province's acting governor after the incumbent, Abraham Attaruri, decided to contest the gubernatorial election under the banner of Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle.