Ridwan Max Sijabat, Jakarta – Indonesia's sovereignty over Papua and West Papua may face less of a challenge from the US Congress after a visiting delegation from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) outlined progress achieved in both provinces to congressmen.
In an informal meeting between the PDI-P delegation led by Secretary General Pramono Anung Wibowo and parliamentarians from the US opposition Democratic Party, Indonesia was asked to focus on building strong local governments in the two provinces to empower local people.
Congressman Eni Faleomavaega, who has sought international support for self-determination for so-called Papua New Guinea, told the PDI-P delegation Indonesia's sovereignty over the provinces depended not so much on international recognition but on how the Indonesian government treated the territory, improved the capacity of local governments and empowered Papuan people.
"Jakarta must uphold justice and speed up development programs in all sectors to improve the social welfare of Papuan people," delegation member Hasto Kristiyanto quoted Faleomavaega as saying during the meeting.
Faleomavaega sponsored in 2005 a bill asking the US government to review its recognition of Papua as part of Indonesia. With international non-governmental organizations, he also lobbied the United Nations to fight for the territory's self-determination in line with the deployment of some 50,000 Indonesian soldiers to the province and alleged human rights abuses that have occurred since the territory's transfer to Indonesia in 1963.
The US congressman also criticized Australia and New Zealand for leaving the Papua issue up to Indonesia, saying it was an issue Australia and other countries in the Pacific should not have ignored.
Jakarta granted special autonomy to Papua in 2001 in a national consensus to counter a mounting independence movement launched by the Free Papua Movement to fight for the province's independence.
West Papua, previously part of Papua province, was declared a new province in 2003. Initially named West Irian Jaya, it was renamed as West Papua upon the issuance of a government regulation on April 18, 2007.
Pramono said his delegation explained to the Congress members about the granting of special autonomy, with increasing annual autonomy funds distributed by the central government to the provinces to enable them to deal with their own domestic affairs.
Beside receiving annual revenue from the mining of minerals, the two provinces also obtained special funds of Rp 3.5 trillion (approximately US$384 million) in 2006 to improve public services, particularly in the health, education and transportation sectors.
The PDI-P delegation also asked the Congress to ensure all American mining companies, particularly Lousiana-based Freeport McMoran Inc., preserve the environment and empower Papuan people at its mining site in Timika, Papua.