Is it Papua or Irian Jaya?

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Although still not formally endorsed by the central government, people could refer to Irian Jaya by its new name Papua, an official said on Tuesday.

A final decision had yet been taken by the central government, said Florens Imbiri, who heads the special commission in Irian Jaya provincial council to look into name change plan.

Florens said the commission had completed its work and sent its proposal to Jakarta, Antara reported.

"We have asked the House of Representatives to quickly endorse the proposal to give legitimacy to the new name," he said.

President Abdurrahman Wahid during a visit here in December agreed to local demands to call the province as Papua. Many local people however preferred the name West Papua.