Thousands protest province's division

Thousands protest province's division

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Thousands of protesters occupied the
gubernatorial office here on Friday, following a peaceful protest
the previous day against a bill which will divide Irian Jaya into
three provinces.

No clashes were reported but the protest paralyzed activity in
the gubernatorial office.

Similar protests were staged on Thursday in the Biak and
Nabire regencies of Irian Jaya and in Jakarta.

The government elected to divide Irian Jaya into three
provinces to ensure more equitable development in the huge
territory. The Ministry of Home Affairs appointed Herman Monim
governor of Central Irian Jaya and Abraham O. Ataruri governor of
West Irian Jaya on Tuesday. Former Irian Jaya governor Freddy
Numberi has been appointed governor of East Irian Jaya.

"Throughout the years, the central government has never
listened to our aspirations. Why suddenly are they dividing our
province and installing new governors," the protesters asked.

Students said the division of the province should be delayed
until their was a trained and available pool of human resources.

"Only then will the people be ready and able to accept the
province's division," the students said.

Some 1,200 protesters in Biak and Nabire also called for the
province's division to by rejected.

Hundreds of Irianese staged a protest at the Hotel Indonesia
traffic circle in Jakarta, demanding the government and members
of the People's Consultative Assembly review the policy. (34/edt)