Religious leaders warn government of chaos in Papua

Ridwan Max Sijabat, Jakarta

Papuan religious leaders have warned the government of worsening problems in the province if Jakarta fails properly to implement special autonomy for the far-flung region.

"The churches in Papua can no longer remain silent if injustice and human rights abuses in the province continue.

"So far, we have been quiet, but we cannot continue to maintain a neutral stance because the political issues now encompass injustice, human rights abuse, extortion, insults and poverty," Communion of Churches in Papua (PGGP) deputy chairman Socratez Sofyan Yoman said after a meeting with Constitutional Court President Jimly Asshidique on Thursday.

The Constitutional Court is still hearing a lawsuit filed by the Papua provincial legislature against the central government over the issuance of controversial Presidential Decree No. 1/2003, which enforced Law No. 45/1999 on the formation of West and Central Irian Jaya provinces. The decree has met with strong opposition in the natural resource-rich province.

Socratez was responding to the government's statement that it was completing a government regulation on the Papuan People's Assembly (MRP) with reduced power. Law No. 21/2001 on special autonomy status for Papua says the MRP has a say in decision- making on crucial issues that affect the fate of the province.

Director General for Public Administration and Regional Autonomy at the home ministry Oentarto Sindung Mawardi said recently that the government would go ahead with the plan to divide Papua into at least three provinces and immediately issue a government regulation on the MRP.

The government, he added, was seeking a good moment to inaugurate Central Irian Jaya province, which was suspended following clashes between those in support of and against the new province in August last year. At least six people were killed in the violence.

According to the draft government regulation, the MRP will serve as an advisory board that will fall under the provincial legislature and play no role in strategic policymaking.

During the meeting with Papuan religious leaders, Jimly conceded the presidential decree did not have a strong legal basis and was in contravention of Law No. 21/2001 on special autonomy for Papua.

Jimly suggested that both the government and Papuan leaders sit together to identify the political consequences of the division policy and seek a comprehensive solution to the dispute.

"The Constitutional Court will accept the Papuan provincial legislature's lawsuit, but said the issue was more a political than a legal matter," Socratez quoted Jimly as saying after a two-hour, closed-door meeting.

The Administrative Court recently ruled against Presidential Decree No. 213/2003 on the appointment of Abraham Octavianus Atururi as the acting governor of West Irian Jaya. The government has appealed to the Administrative High Court.

Chairman of the Synod of Pentecostal Churches in Papua Rev. Andrean Ayomi said Papuan people did not need new provinces but genuine implementation of special autonomy, which was approved by the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) in response to mounting demands for self-determination from the Papuan people.

"The government has no authority to unilaterally change the concept on MRP that was formulated jointly by the Papuan people, the government and the House of Representatives," he said.

Chairman of the Synod of Evangelist Churches in Papua Rev. Lipiyus Biniluk said Papuan people were not against the formation of new provinces in principle, but the process should be carried out by the people in accordance with the special autonomy legislation.