Thaha al Hamid, secretary-general of the PDP (Papuan Presidium Council) has called on the MPR, the DPRP and the provincial administration of West Papua to stop talking all the time about PP77, the presidential decree about regional symbols.

'The Special Autonomy Law consists of many articles so it seems crazy for these bodies to be focusing on the regional symbols,' he said.

'There are many far more important substantial issues which should be discussed without making all this fuss about regional symbols, issues such as economic empowerment, education and the health situation, where Papuans have experienced no improvements.'

'We shouldn't let our women get soaked in the rain or sit in the blazing sun while shops and stalls are run by people from outside Papua selling their goods,' he said.

Education and health have not succeeded in a way that conforms with the provisions of Otsus, the Special Autonomy Law. Twenty percent of the budget should be allocated to education, while Otsus should get thirty percent. But none of this has been realised. This is evident from the figures in the budget, he said.

What we need now, he said, is for Papuans who fall ill to be able to go to a hospital or clinic and get treatment without having to pay for the medicine. There should be enough electricity for people to be able to study and for people to get involved in various economic activities.

Instead of talking about PP77, people should come together and discuss how to deal with corruption and the injustices contained in Otsus. 'As long as there is no prosperity here, we should continue with our resistance,' he said. The flag we must raise, he said, is the right to life and the need for welfare.

Speaking out in favour of PP77 was Colonel Burhanuddin Siagian, the district military chief, who argued that people fail to understand the meaning of PP77 which is not intended only for Papua but for other places across the country. He said that PP77 is not in violation of Otsus. The decree mentions regional symbols and songs but it does not recognise the Morning Star as the cultural symbol for Papua.

He said that whatever people may say, the Morning Star is a separatist symbol so there are no grounds to claim that it is a cultural symbol. 'Please go ahead and create a cultural symbol,' said the colonel. 'Anyone using the Morning Star will have to confront the law enforcement authorities,' he said.

[Abridged translation by TAPOL.]