The Jakarta Post, June 25, 2004
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.
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