Papuan proposal seeks wide-ranging autonomy

Papuan proposal seeks wide-ranging autonomy

JAKARTA (JP): As a compromise to the intense calls for
independence, resource-rich Irian Jaya is offering to remain
within Indonesia if it retains a bigger portion of its own
wealth, an initiative bill submitted by the province suggests.

The bill, drafted by a 14-member team comprising officials of
the local administration, councillors, non-governmental activists
and proindependence leaders in the province, also known as Papua,
underscores an independent administration with separate
constitution and broad policy guidelines.

"The Papuan People's Assembly (MRP) and the Papuan People's
Representatives (DPRP) determine and endorse the policy
guidelines and constitution," the draft, a copy of which was made
available to The Jakarta Post, proposes.

The separatist movement has been prominent in the easternmost
province since a UN-administered plebiscite in 1969 ratified
Indonesian sovereignty over the former Dutch colony.

The bill was drawn up in response to Jakarta's offer of
special autonomy status to the province, which is home to
abundant mineral deposits.

It says the MRP and DPRP must consist of people whose parents,
or at least one of their parents, are native Papuans.

The draft also proposes that gubernatorial and vice
gubernatorial posts are both restricted to Papuans.

Besides the national anthem Indonesia Raya and national flag
Merah Putih, the province recognizes a different flag and anthem
which symbolize the identity of Papuans, the draft says.

The draft was presented to President Abdurrahman Wahid and
House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Akbar Tandjung earlier
this week. The government had earlier submitted its own bill
outlining special autonomy for Irian Jaya to the DPR.

Comprising 76 articles, the initiative draft stipulates any
deployment and withdrawal of troops from the National Police and
Indonesian Military require approval from the MRP and DPRP.

"It is also necessary to establish a local police force, which
falls under the governor's supervision but cooperates with the
national police. Coordination of the two police institutions must
be conducted with the governor's knowledge," the draft says.

Revenue sharing, dubbed the thorn aggravating the relationship
between Jakarta and Papua, changes radically, with the central
government receiving only 20 percent of the province's income.

Under the new formula, the province is expected to collect
between Rp 12.8 trillion (US$1.16 billion) and Rp 16 trillion a
year in net revenue, a sharp rise from the current Rp 2.8
trillion.

The draft also recognizes the traditional rights of the people
and gives more opportunity for women representatives in the MRP
and DPRP. It also guarantees people's rights to receive health
services and better nutrition.

A legislator from the Golkar faction, Simon Patrice Morrin,
who is an Irian Jaya native, suggested on Friday that the central
government pay more attention to the draft if it wants to appease
independence demands in the province.

"We don't know what will happen in the province if we ignore
the draft as it has gone through a series of tough dialogs among
the people there," Simon said, adding that the House should
deliberate the draft as soon as possible. (dja)