New council expected to bring justice to Papua: Scholar
New council expected to bring justice to Papua: Scholar
Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post/Jayapura
Although less powerful than expected, the new Papuan People's
Council (MRP) is seen as a breakthrough in attempts to bring
justice to the impoverished province, a scholar says.
A former rector of Cendrawasih University in Papua, Frans
Wospakrik, likened the new council to a medicine that would help
cure the people's anger over past policies by the central
government.
"The three major social groups represented by the council are
expected to bridge residents' demand for justice, which in the
past has been elusive. Once people are involved in determining
development programs (in the province), a reconciliation process
will automatically begin," Wospakrik said.
The 42-member council consists of representatives of tribal
groups, religious groups and women's groups. Minister of Home
Affairs M. Ma'ruf installed the council members in a ceremony on
Monday that was greeted by a protest.
The council has the power to approve gubernatorial candidates
when the candidates are native Papuans, provide recommendations
and approve any form of cooperation between the Papuan
administration and other parties, and give opinions on and
endorse the establishment of new administrative regions.
Originally, the council was proposed as a superbody the
central government would have been required to consult with
regarding policies affecting the province.
Wospakrik, one of the authors of the Law on Special Autonomy
for Papua, said the ultimate aim of the council was to keep Papua
within the unitary state of Indonesia.
"People in Papua will fight to maintain national unity if they
can live in peace and their welfare is guaranteed," he said.
The country's easternmost province has benefited little from
its vast natural resources, while the government has done little
to address past human rights violations in the province.
There has been a low-scale secessionist movement in Papua for
almost four decades.
Wospakrik said the new council would give Papuans access to
the decision-making process and ensure their rights were
protected, which is especially important because indigenous
peoples are underrepresented in legislative bodies.
"And those people who do sit on legislative bodies represent
their political parties. So who will fight for the people's basic
rights and interests?" he said.
Citing an example, he said many Papuans had lost their
ancestral land in the name of development and were unable to
claim compensation because they did not possess legal ownership
documents.
Wospakrik said women were given an equal number of seats on
the council in an attempt to empower Papua's women, who in the
past have been subject to abuse.
One MRP member representing women, Hana Salomina Hikoyabi,
said the council would help women protect their rights, which in
the past had been neglected.
"It is an honor for women to be formally acknowledged. Papuan
women now have the chance to pursue their interests," Hana said.
Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post/Jayapura
Although less powerful than expected, the new Papuan People's
Council (MRP) is seen as a breakthrough in attempts to bring
justice to the impoverished province, a scholar says.
A former rector of Cendrawasih University in Papua, Frans
Wospakrik, likened the new council to a medicine that would help
cure the people's anger over past policies by the central
government.
"The three major social groups represented by the council are
expected to bridge residents' demand for justice, which in the
past has been elusive. Once people are involved in determining
development programs (in the province), a reconciliation process
will automatically begin," Wospakrik said.
The 42-member council consists of representatives of tribal
groups, religious groups and women's groups. Minister of Home
Affairs M. Ma'ruf installed the council members in a ceremony on
Monday that was greeted by a protest.
The council has the power to approve gubernatorial candidates
when the candidates are native Papuans, provide recommendations
and approve any form of cooperation between the Papuan
administration and other parties, and give opinions on and
endorse the establishment of new administrative regions.
Originally, the council was proposed as a superbody the
central government would have been required to consult with
regarding policies affecting the province.
Wospakrik, one of the authors of the Law on Special Autonomy
for Papua, said the ultimate aim of the council was to keep Papua
within the unitary state of Indonesia.
"People in Papua will fight to maintain national unity if they
can live in peace and their welfare is guaranteed," he said.
The country's easternmost province has benefited little from
its vast natural resources, while the government has done little
to address past human rights violations in the province.
There has been a low-scale secessionist movement in Papua for
almost four decades.
Wospakrik said the new council would give Papuans access to
the decision-making process and ensure their rights were
protected, which is especially important because indigenous
peoples are underrepresented in legislative bodies.
"And those people who do sit on legislative bodies represent
their political parties. So who will fight for the people's basic
rights and interests?" he said.
Citing an example, he said many Papuans had lost their
ancestral land in the name of development and were unable to
claim compensation because they did not possess legal ownership
documents.
Wospakrik said women were given an equal number of seats on
the council in an attempt to empower Papua's women, who in the
past have been subject to abuse.
One MRP member representing women, Hana Salomina Hikoyabi,
said the council would help women protect their rights, which in
the past had been neglected.
"It is an honor for women to be formally acknowledged. Papuan
women now have the chance to pursue their interests," Hana said.