Jayapura – Some 300 protesters who said they were from the Coalition of People and Students Care of Papua held a rally at Papua Legislative Council on Monday demanding the provincial government, the local council and Papua People's Council reject the province's special autonomy status.

Protest coordinator Buchtar Tabuni said in his speech, "the special autonomy brings no benefit to most Papuans".

He said it was about time to stop using poor people as an excuse because the money was only enjoyed by officials and civil servants in Papua. Buchtar said MRP head Agus Alua has told the Australian media the special autonomy has failed.

"Today, we also want to tell the council a similar thing, that the special autonomy has failed and we reject it," he said.

The protesters were received by council members Yani and Heny Arobaya who told the protesters to deliver their demands when the council was back in session.