Mimika – Coordinating Minister for the People's Welfare Aburizal Bakrie presented government housing assistance Tuesday to former members of the separatist Free Papua Movement (OPM) in the Pegunungan Bintang and Lanny Jaya regencies of Papua.

The ceremony took place during Aburizal's visit to Mimika, where US-based gold mining company PT Freeport Indonesia operates the world's largest gold mine. Aburizal will also tour Paniai regency during his trip. The former rebels recently turned themselves in to the military.

Aburizal, who is the frontrunner in the race for the chairmanship of the Golkar Party, was scheduled to meet with local party leaders later in the day to confirm their support for his bid. Golkar's Papua office has officially announced its support for Aburizal, but 29 regency-level branches are backing his main rival, Surya Paloh.

Meanwhile, about 600 Indonesian Military (TNI) soldiers arrived in Timika, to help local police secure the area around Freeport after a series of attacks in past months.

The soldiers join 1,320 police personnel guarding the mining company, Papua Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Agus Rianto told Antara on Tuesday.