Govt prepares regulation on W. Irian Jaya provinces
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.