Nethy Dharma Somba, Jayapura – The Papuan People's Assembly (MRP) and the Papuan Legislative Council (DPRP) have rejected a proposal by the House of Representatives (DPR) to divide Papua into four provinces.
DPRP deputy chairman Paskalis Kosay said over the weekend that both the MRP and DPRP were stepping up their opposition to the plan to divide the two Papua provinces into four provinces because the decision was not in line with Article 76 of Law No. 21/2001 on special autonomy for Papua which requires a recommendation from the MRP.
"The MRP and the DPRP discussed this matter with local administration bodies. They hope that the local administration will help them convince the DPR to postpone its initiative to divide Papua into four provinces," Paskalis said.
The MRP and DPRP plan to write a formal letter stating their opposition to the House draft law on Papua which would split Papua into four provinces, he said.
MRP deputy chairman Frans Wospakrik said that the House's draft was based purely on political considerations.
"The DPR has to maintain its initiative rights. Legislation must evolve through the democratic principles which form the basis of law. It must not be a process of simply securing political interests. I hope that all institutions will act consistently with the law that exists in this country," Frans said.
He said that based on Article 76 of the 2001 law on special autonomy, the MRP must first collect information from local communities to determine what they want. This ensures that new legislation is in line with cultural conditions of affected areas.
"Just look at what is happening," said Frans. "We had yet to plan formal discussion on this matter, but the central DPR has already established the draft law on splitting Papua into four provinces. Of course, we absolutely reject the draft law, we have not been consulted."
Neles Tebay, a lecturer at Fajar Timur Institute of Theological Philosophy in Jayapura expressed a similar view. He said the split would widen the gap between indigenous Papuans and migrants.
Dividing Papua into four provinces, Neles said, would provide more jobs in economic and governmental sectors, but this would also attract more people from outside Papua seeking employment.
"Unfortunately, migrants tend to get the best jobs in strategic sectors, while the Papuans remain in low-level positions," said Neles.
"I am sure that all strategic positions in the governmental sector will be filled by skilled workers who are not Papuans. The positions, of course, will be filled by migrants. The split will only advantage migrants, not indigenous Papuans." He said this would cause more conflict in Papua.