Papuans demand new provinces to boost development and unity

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Papuan people urged on Friday that the government immediately reinstate the plan for two new provinces on the island, whose establishment was approved in 1999 to boost development and quench calls for independence there.

The demand was aired by some 300 Papuans who were received by President Megawati Soekarnoputri at the State Palace. They suggested that the new provinces be established on Oct. 12, the date of the induction of two new governors in Papua two years ago by then president B.J. Habibie.

"The demand represents the Papuan people's aspiration, and the administrative structure of the new provinces has been in place since 1999. Should the government fail to meet our demand on Oct. 12, we would like to ask for a referendum on independence," spokesman for the Papuan delegation Jimmy Damianus Itjie said.

He underlined that development in the country's largest province could proceed in an effective way if it was divided into smaller administrative areas.

The political decision to split the island into three provinces was made in 1999 during Habibie's 17-month tenure. He established West Irian Jaya and Central Irian Jaya provinces on Oct. 12, 1999. Irian Jaya is the former name for Papua.

Ten days later, Habibie's successor Abdurrahman Wahid assumed power and suspended the implementation of the decision. No political decision has been taken to break the stalemate since then.

Lt. Gen. (ret) Abraham Octavianus Ataruri, whom Habibie appointed as the West Irian Jaya governor, was among the Papuan delegates who met with Megawati on Friday. He is a former Sorong regent.

The appointed governor of Central Irian Jaya, Herman Monim, was absent from the meeting.

In her response, Megawati asked the people not to force the government to formalize the provinces on Oct. 12, saying the establishment of a new province should follow certain procedures.

"It is not because the central government will not fulfill the demand. The government asks the people to see the bigger picture as it is not easy to set up new provinces," Megawati said.

Setting up a province needed fair border arrangements, and changes to gubernatorial and legislative structures.

She underlined that the central government would heed the aspirations of the Papuan people, but the matter required further study.

The President promised she would visit Papua before the end of this year to see development in the province for herself.

A source close to Megawati told The Jakarta Post that during her planned visit to Papua, she would likely announce the establishment of the two new provinces and confirm the induction of the two governors.