Nethy Dharma Somba, Jayapura – Despite having special autonomy for 10 years, Papua has been compared to a sick person in need of the right therapy, with a forum held to discuss the urgency of evaluating the implementation of special autonomy.

The chairman of the special autonomy evaluation committee at the Papuan legislative council, Weynand Watori, said Thursday an evaluation on the implementation was needed to avoid the failure of special autonomy and address the continued poverty suffered by most Papuans.

Special autonomy was designed to help increase the welfare of indigenous Papuans in the education, health, economy and infrastructure.

In August 2005, however, Papuans held a mass rally against special autonomy over its failure in bringing in prosperity to the people. Similar rallies were held in July 2010, with protesters calling on the legislative council to revoke special autonomy.

"This is an indication that the people are not benefitting from special autonomy," Weynand said.

He added that special autonomy was a new concept as no other provinces in the country had been granted the status. As such, it was unclear whether to define it a success or failure due to a lack of indicators.

"This is why an evaluation of the implementation is needed, so we can find the right way to implement special autonomy," he told the forum that was attended by members of the special committee and local media.

Special autonomy, Weynand added, was like a sick person who needed a thorough general checkup, which would allow doctors to analyze his illness and prescribe the right medicine and treatment. "We need the right therapy and so an examination is needed," he said.

The forum agreed that an evaluation of the implementation of special autonomy was needed by involving all stakeholders with the council's special committee as facilitator.

The forum also agreed that Cenderawasih University in Jayapura and the Papua University in Manokwari, West Papua, would be entrusted to prepare the right evaluation method.

The evaluation would be conducted through asking Papuans. "Doing so will enable the team to get firsthand information," Weynand said, adding that the evaluation would be conducted this year.