House believes Theys murdered

The House of Representatives (DPR) is convinced that Irian pro-independence activist Theys H. Eluway was murdered.

House Speaker Akbar Tandjung said on Wednesday that the government should speed up the investigation and release the results to the public.

Akbar said he feared Theys's death would be detrimental to the autonomy that the government had granted to Irian Jaya, that will come into force next month.

"Late disclosure of the murder will impact on the trust of the Papuan people in the government," said Akbar when closing the latest sitting season. Legislators are on recess until Jan. 6, 2002.

Theys's supporters and human rights activists have wanted the legislators to form a team to probe the Nov. 11 murder.

There has been widespread speculation that the military were involved in Theys's murder. The military has denied the accusations. --JP