Legislators protest plenary meeting

Legislators protest plenary meeting

JAKARTA: A number of legislators attending a plenary meeting of
the House of Representatives on Monday protested the failure to
announce their proposal to revise Law No. 45/1999 on the division
of Papua into three provinces.

Usually, the House hears input on matters such as revising a
law at the opening of a plenary session.

Simon Patrice Morin of Golkar questioned House Deputy Speaker
Tosari Widjaja for not announcing the proposal to revise the law
on the division of Papua.

Citing the House's internal rules, fellow legislator Ruben
Gobay said all proposals submitted to the House must be announced
during a plenary meeting.

He said House leaders must have noticed the proposal from 30
legislators because it had been submitted last September.

A House staff member said he did not read out the proposal
because he had not received instructions to do so from House
leaders.

It was eventually agreed to hear the proposal at the next
plenary session.

Ruben said legislators who submitted the proposal to revise
the law were demanding that any separation or establishment of a
new administration entity refer to Law No. 21/2001 on special
autonomy for Papua.

Based on this law the establishment of a new province or
regency would require the approval of the Assembly of Papuan
People. -- JP