Nethy Dharma Somba, Jayapura – A noted Papuan figure criticized the Indonesian government on Tuesday, saying it was only interested in the province's natural resources, not its people, but praised former president Abdurrahman Wahid.

Papua Traditional Council chairman Tom Beanal said that of the many high-ranking officials in the country, only former president Wahid, or "Gus Dur", as he is more popularly known, paid attention to the plight of the Papuan people.

"It's only Gus Dur who has seen us with conscience... only Gus Dur who comprehends and hears the cries from Papuan people's hearts," Beanal said at a ceremony presenting an award to the ex-president.

The award was handed over by Beanal and Taha Alhamid, secretary general of the Papua Traditional Council Presidium, to Gus Dur as a token of appreciation for a number of policies that were favorable to Papuans during his presidency.

While in power, Gus Dur authorized the province's name change from Irian Jaya to Papua and allowed the Papuan flag, the Bintang Kejora, to be raised as a cultural symbol. He also authorized funding for the second Papuan National Congress in 2000, providing Rp 2 billion (US$210,526) to finance the event.

The award was in the form of a 30-by-45-centimeter placard consisting of Sentani stone ring with a small axe and beads as well as text reading: Damai Sejahtera kau bawa kepada kami. Tanah Papua menjadi milik kami Kyai Haji Abdurrachman Wahid. Demokrasi menjadi hak milik Papua. (You have brought peace to us. Papuan lands belong to us Kyai Haji Abdurrachman Wahid. Democracy becomes the properties of the Papuans.) Beanal said the award, given by the Papuan people, had no economic value but was given with conscience and love from the Papuan people to thank Gus Dur for his humane treatment.

In his speech at the ceremony, Gus Dur said an incorrectly implemented government policy had led to the death of Theys Hiyo Eluay, who aggressively campaigned for democracy and justice in Papua. To the government, Theys was simply a rebel, Gus Dur said.

"When Pak Theys was still alive, he together with Pak Tom Beanal met with me a a number of times to discuss the future of the Papuans, who have been unfavorably treated," Gus Dur said.

The struggle of the Papuan people to create a new community was still long and arduous, he said, adding that while Papua was rich in natural resources they had not improved the welfare of its poverty-stricken people. "I'm sure there are still many things we can do to help improve welfare," he said.

Gus Dur said the award meant a great deal to him because what he had done during his presidency could not be compared to the sacrifices and contributions of Theys.

"If Pak Theys did not care about the Papuan people's struggle, he could have just enjoyed life in his kampong as a noted figure... but he left all of them to struggle together with the Papuans before he was finally killed," he said.