Papua council changes name

JAYAPURA, Papua: The Papua provincial council officially changed its name to the Papua People's Representative Council in a plenary session on Wednesday.

The change, based on Law No. 21/2001 on Papua's special autonomy, was marked by the unveiling of a new placard outside the council building by the province's deputy governor Constant Karma.

Council deputy speaker Paskalis Kosay said the change opened up the way for executives and councillors to set up regulations governing the Papua People's Assembly (MRP).

Papua Governor JP Solossa is scheduled to install the MRP's 44 members in September this year, ahead of the province's election of regional heads in October. The MRP will select the candidates running for the elections. -- JP