The Jakarta Post, 2/6/2003 7:55:15 PM
Minister denies directive infringes upon Papuan autonomy
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno has denied that a directive on
the formation of the provinces of Central Irian Jaya and West Irian Jaya from the
president infringed upon the law on special autonomy granted to Papua.
"That is wrong," Hari Sabarno was quoted as saying by Antara before attending a
Cabinet meeting at the State Secretariat here on Thursday, adding that it was
impossible for one governor to deal with the 28 districts of Papua.
President Megawati Soekarnoputri issued on Jan. 27 the Presidential Directive No.
1/2003 to accelerate the implementation of Law No. 45/1999 on the formation of the
two provinces.
The directive ordered the home affairs minister to accelerate the development of
Indonesia's easternmost province.
"The division of Papua into three provinces is aimed at improving government services
to the people," the minister said.
"I've sent letters to the governor of Papua as well as to the legislative bodies to
implement the presidential directive," he said.
The issuance of the directive has drawn controversy from the Papuan people, as well
as legislators.
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