Antara, Wamena, Papua – Home Affairs Minister Mardiyanto officiated Saturday five new regencies in Papua as well as installing five temporary regents.

The five new regencies were Central Mamberamo regency with five districts with Kobakma as the regental seat. Created by the Law No. 3/2008, the first regent is David Pagawak.

Yalimo regency also has five districts with Elelim as the regental capital. Created by the Law No. 4/2008, the first regent is Elia Ibrahim Loupatty.

Meanwhile, Lanny Jaya was created by the Law No.5/2008 and has 10 districts. Its first regent is Pribadi Sukartono. The regental capital is Tiom.

The Law No. 6/2008 creates Nduga regency with eight districts and Kenyam as the administrative center. Hans Dortheus is the first regnt.

Puncak regency also has eight districts with Ilaga as the regental seat being created by the Law No. 7/2008. The first regent is Simon Alom.

The regents will work for one year to prepare the new regencies' administrations as well as preparing for elections to pick definitive regents.

With the creation of these five regencies – as well as Dogiyai regency which was created earlier – currently there are 12 regencies in the Central Mountain region of Papua province.

The ceremony was highlighted with the bakar batu traditional feast to express the people's gratitude of having their own regencies.