The International Crisis Group (ICG), 9 April 2003
Press Release
Indonesia: Papua division creates tension and turmoil
Jakarta/Brussels, 9 April 2003: A new briefing paper published today by the
International Crisis Group, Dividing Papua: How Not To Do It*, a copy of which is
attached, is highly critical of a Presidential Instruction issued in Jakarta on 27 January
2003 to divide Papua, now one province, into three. Promulgation of the decree,
without any consultation with key Papuan leaders, has created serious tensions that
could result in violence – particularly as the 2004 elections approach.
ICG's Asia Program Director Robert Templer said:
"The Presidential Instruction undercuts a special autonomy law passed by the
parliament in November 2001 and has thrown Papua's administrative status into legal
limbo. It has done more to create tension and turmoil in Papua than any government
action in years".
The official reason given for dividing Papua was to bring government closer to the
people and facilitate economic development. It was argued that it would be impossible
for one governor to administer Papua's 28 districts spread over a huge and remote
area. However, the real reasons are almost certainly very different.
"President Megawati apparently issued this decree in an effort to weaken the Papuan
independence movement", ICG's Indonesia Project Director Sidney Jones said. "But
dividing the province could also help Megawati's PDIP party and weaken its main rival,
Golkar. Already we're seeing a scramble by some local politicians to join the
pro-division camp in the hope of getting access to power, wealth, or both in the new
provinces".
The Presidential Instruction or Inpres undermines moderate intellectuals who saw
special autonomy as a way of strengthening Papuan institutions and encouraging
independence supporters to work within the Indonesian state. Resentment and
distrust of central government by Papuans is likely to increase, with leaders of both
pro- and anti-division groups expected to mobilise their supporters.
The Inpres effectively throws away the special autonomy package that had been
laboriously worked out through a process that genuinely seemed to be democracy at
work. But there is little chance that the Inpres will be revoked now, despite the
widespread criticism of the move throughout Papua. The best that can be hoped for is
that the government will delay implementation and work on a broader consensus.
Media Contacts
Katy Cronin (London) +44.20.79.81.03.30 – email: media@crisisweb.org
Francesca Lawe-Davies (Brussels) +32-(0)2-536.00.65
Jennifer Leonard (Washington) +1-202-785 1601
*Read the full ICG report on our website: www.crisisweb.org
The International Crisis Group (ICG) is an independent, non-profit, multinational
organisation, with over 80 staff members on five continents, working through
field-based analysis and high-level advocacy to prevent and resolve deadly conflict.
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