Makassar – Dozens of Papuan students in Makassar staged a protest on Thursday, rejecting the special autonomy status given to Papua in 2001.

The protesters said the special autonomy failed to bring about prosperity in the province, and had instead created new problems in relation to fund disbursement.

"Since the special autonomy law was implemented in 2001, we have yet to see any fundamental changes, said Nius Silak, the demonstration coordinator. "Infrastructure is still poor, and prosperity doesn't not exist. Instead, the special autonomy fund has divided people in Papua."

They urged the government to revoke the law and recommend a dialogue between the central government and Papuan people to deal with the problem.