Irian to be split into three support areas

JAKARTA (JP): The province of Irian Jaya will be split into three regional support areas to be headed by a deputy governor, rather than into three provinces as some people have suggested, Antara reported yesterday.

Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie SM said in Sorong, Irian Jaya, on Sunday that the new division was aimed at boosting economic development and facilitating administration.

"Hopefully, this will help accelerate economic development and facilitate administrative matters," Yogie said.

He said that in accordance with Irian Jaya Governor Jacob Pattipi's suggestion, the new deputy governors would be natives of the province and will be based at the governor's office in the provincial capital of Jayapura.

The addition of two new deputy governors would raise the total number to three; the existing deputy governor is Basyir Bachtiar. He did not mention when the new deputy governors will be appointed.

"The government has no intention of adding a new province in Irian Jaya," Yogie said. "Splitting Irian Jaya into three provinces is theoretically easy, but it would be hard to implement, as it involves numerous conditions."

The first step in this new development was yesterday's inauguration of Sorong into an administrative city based on governmental decree No. 1/1994. During yesterday's ceremony, Yogie inaugurated Jonathan Anes Jumame as mayor.

For many, the ceremony signaled an end to a long wait; the proposal to establish Sorong as an administrative city was first put forward in 1983.

This will soon be followed by the initiation of the Timika and Enarotali administrative regencies.

The first support region comprises the Jayapura regency and the Jayapura mayoralty, along with the Jayawijaya and Merauke regencies.

The second support region consists of the Paniai, Yapen and Biak Numfor regencies, along with the administrative regency of Enarotali.

The third support region includes the Manokwari, Sorong and Fak-fak regencies, along with the administrative regencies of Timika and Sorong.

Yogie added that the central government has also agreed to upgrade the status of 28 areas into districts, bringing the total number of districts in Irian Jaya to 145.

There have been calls to divide Irian Jaya into three provinces on the grounds that it would foster greater unity among the Irianese people.

Some observers have said that, while the called-for splitting may not be economically viable, it would be of great psychological importance, and would enhance the defense and security situation there. (mds)