Many Irianese scantyly clad

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Most residents of Puncak Jaya, a remote regency in the mountainous central part of Irian Jaya, are scantily clad and far more backward than those in other parts of the province, an official said on Thursday.

The chairman of the regional development planning board, Wirda Fakaubun, told Antara in Jayapura that 85 percent to 90 percent of the men and women in the regency only wore minimum traditional gear like koteka (penis sheaths) and sali (grass skirts).

According to Wirda, most of the local people live under the poverty line and cannot afford to buy basic needs, which in other regencies of Irian Jaya are no longer luxuries.

Rice in Mulia, the capital of Puncak Jaya, costs Rp 10,000 per kilogram and sugar Rp 20,000 per kilogram.

The regional administration is striving to break Puncak Jaya's isolation by building cross-regency roads and a new airfield to ensure smooth communications.

Established in 1996, Puncak Jaya was previously a district, which was later raised to the status of regency.

To date, the regency has had no land transportation links with the rest of the province. Mulia is accessible only by small aircraft such as Twin Otter, Cessna, Pilatus Porter or Caravan.

Roads between Mulia and Wamena in Jayawijaya regency are expected to be ready for use early next year and those between Mulia and Nabire in Nabire regency are scheduled for completion at the end of 2001, Wirda added. (sdt)