Papuan presidium to meet with Abdurrahman over congress
Papuan presidium to meet with Abdurrahman over congress
JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (JP): The presidium of the Papuan
People's Congress plans to meet with President Abdurrahman Wahid
on June 25 to submit the result of the recent congress which
declared their desire to separate from Indonesia.
The presidium's secretary-general, Thoha Al Hamid, said on
Tuesday that the delegation would be led by presidium chairman
Theys H. Eluay and his deputy, Tom Beanal.
Theys will also submit his accountability report on the use of
the President's Rp 1 billion (about US$115,000) donation to the
congress.
Tom will arrive in Jakarta on Wednesday to arrange the details
of the meeting.
"During the meeting, the presidium council will convey the
Irian people's aspiration, as reflected by the congress
resolution," said Thoha.
The Papuan People's Congress issued a statement on June 4
declaring its intention to separate from Indonesia, a move which
has been condemned by the central government.
The President has expressed his disappointment over the result
of the congress.
Police in Jayapura have begun an investigation into possible
treason against the state by the congress organizers.
On Tuesday morning, police questioned Thoha in his capacity as
a suspect in the treason case, along with Theys.
Accompanied by his lawyer, Ainum Siregar, Thoha told
journalists that police interrogated him about his involvement in
the congress, and the entire process of the seven-day event which
started on May 29.
The questioning was led by Capt. Asep, who asked him 15
questions during three hours of interrogation. According to
Thoha, he was treated well during the questioning and police
provided him snacks and drinks.
Ainum said he would also act as Theys' defense lawyer. Without
mentioning an exact day, Ainum said Theys was ready to face
police questioning.
Police will also question the chairman of the congress
steering committee, Agus Alua, in his capacity as a witness in
the treason case.
Irian Jaya Police chief of detectives Col. Tukarno said Thoha
and Theys were named suspects for their alleged involvement in a
series of proindependence rallies since late last year, including
the hoisting of the Papuan Morning Star flag on Dec. 1.
Theys did not turn up at the police office as he had a
separate meeting with Trikora Military Commander Maj. Gen. Albert
Ingkiriwang.
Separately, Theys said the council had set up several working
teams, including a negotiation team to deal with Indonesia and
the international community, as a follow up to the congress
recommendations.
"As the people have decided to separate from the Republic of
Indonesia, the central government is expected to understand this
political aspiration," said Theys.
In Jakarta, Irian Jaya Legislative Council (DPRD) speaker T.N.
Kaiway said "it's far too late to suppress the Irianese demand
for independence."
Kaiway was speaking to reporters after a hearing with
Commission II of the House of Representatives (DPR) to propose
the establishment of four vice governors to cover the province's
vast area.
"The central government said that the demand for independence
is minuscule. However, the facts show that the demand is deeply
rooted among the majority of the people," Kaiway said.
Separately, State Minister of Transmigration and Population Al
Hilal Hamdi appealed to 334,000 transmigrants, mostly from Java,
to remain calm and continue living in the province.
The state minister said Theys had assured him that the Papuans
would respect the rights of the transmigrants.
He cautioned the transmigrants not to make a hasty decision to
leave the province, saying living conditions in Java or in their
provinces of origin were even worse than in Irian Jaya.
"Unemployment rates are very high in other provinces. So if
they want to return home for better lives, it is wrong," the
minister told Antara.
The transmigration sites in Irian Jaya are concentrated in
Timika, Jayapura, Merauke, Fakfak and Manokwari. (eba/44/08/prb)