Nethy Dharma Somba, Jayapura – The name of West Irian Jaya will be changed to West Papua to match the preferences of local people, the provincial government announced Tuesday.

The chairman of the West Irian Jaya Legislative Council, Jimmy Demianus Idjie, said the name change was announced by provincial Governor Abraham Octovianus Atururi to coincide with the province's fourth anniversary.

Jimmy emphasized that the name change had to be followed by solid improvements to the welfare of the province's residents. "What's the meaning of a name change if the welfare of the people doesn't improve?" he asked.

Jimmy said the West Irian Jaya Legislative Council would evaluate the name change before approving it at a plenary session. "After that, the name change will be proposed to the central government for approval," he said.