We also support the acceleration of ratification of the indigenous custom community bill to protect the rights of Papuan native people.
Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA) - The Papuan People's Council (MRP) fully supports the central government's plans to establish new autonomous regions (DOB) of South Papua, Central Highlands Papua, and Central Papua to provide fair, equitable, and inclusive development.

MRP is a special governmental institution representing the native culture of Papua, and it has been granted certain authorities for protection of the Papuan people's rights. It was established according to Law Number 21 of 2001 on the Special Autonomy for Papua Province.

MRP member Dorince Mehue noted in a statement here on Saturday that this was conveyed to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) during a meeting in Bogor City, West Java Province, on May 20, 2022.

Mehue remarked that the MRP also supports the president’s decision regarding appointment of the acting officials throughout Papua Province since the election for the head of regional governments will be conducted simultaneously in 2024.


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In addition, the institution lauded the attempts of the central government in developing the province through Law Number 2 of 2021 on the Special Autonomy for Papua Province as well as its various derivative regulations, she remarked.

Mehue stated that the regulations bolster preparations for the grand design on the acceleration of development of Papua during the 2022-2041 period.

"We also support the acceleration of ratification of the indigenous custom community bill to protect the rights of Papuan native people," she remarked.

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Furthermore, she noted that to establish inclusive socio-political reconciliation to solve various issues in the province, President Jokowi and the central government had attempted to communicate through a humanist approach with the Papuan people.

Earlier, on May 20, 2022, six members of the MRP and four members of the West Papuan People's Council were invited by the president to a meeting at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java Province, to discuss the establishment of three DOB in Papua.

In addition, the heads of Jayapura District and Sorong City as well as chancellors of the University of Cenderawasih (Uncen) and the State University of Papua (Unipa) were invited to the meeting.


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Translator: Qadri Pratiwi, Uyu Liman
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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