H

strong>Habel Melkias Suwae, a 58-year-old regent of Jayapura who witnessed Papua's integration into Indonesia on May 1, 1963, and the controversial organizing of the Papuan People's Free Choice on May 8, 1969, gave his political views on the Papuan issue to The Jakarta Post's Ridwan Max Sijabat on Friday.

Question: What is your view on the controversial 1969 Determination of Papuan People's Free Choice?

Answer: It was valid and its results were final. Almost 89 percent of 1,200 village heads representing their own people voted for Papua's integration with Indonesia.

It was organized by the UN and its results have been documented and accepted by the UN and its member countries worldwide.

But some Papuans have rejected it, saying it was not held by a one-man-one-vote principle of democracy?

It was impossible to do so at the time because most people were politically uneducated and living in remote jungles. And it was also unlikely to postpone it to a later time when most Papuans had been educated and were aware of their rights.

Papuans have their own bad habits: When they receive money they stay silent but when the money is finished they begin screaming. When they are in power they boast that they are part of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) but after losing power they are outspoken in their criticism of the government and call for the province's separation.

Will you fall into the same hole?

I hope I will not do the same. The political style is a choice, we have done it and all should remain consistent and accept the consequences.

Can you comment on the increasing rejection of special autonomy for Papua?

As a matter of policy and decision it cannot satisfy all sides. Many are opposed because they have gained nothing or very little or they are no longer in power.

But all sides should bear in mind that special autonomy is a national consensus which Papuans has also chosen and accepted as a solution to unresolved problems since integration.

In its implementation, special autonomy has its own strengths and weaknesses and has given a big chance for the people to improve their social welfare. I am aware of many political barriers in its full implementation but much progress has been achieved under special autonomy. Papuans have to acknowledge the progress we have achieved up to now is far better than during the centralistic government of Soeharto.

What are the root problems in Papua?

Backwardness in education and health, poverty and inadequate infrastructures. Almost 80 percent of the two million indigenous people in Papua are illiterate and live in remote and isolated areas and they have no access to education and health services.

The government will continue developing infrastructure, including roads and bridges to make all villages in mountainous areas accessible. This is important to bring modernity to the indigenous people and empower them to carry out their economic development.

Papuan should exercise patience and the economic development will continue gradually due to the government's limited capacity.

What do you do in your region?

With the annual budget of around Rp 500 billion, almost 90 percent of 13,500 families in the regency live a normal, humane life.

All the children go to school and we have public health facilities. All districts are accessible and low-income families have been given training and capital in farming, fishing and home industries under the people's empowerment program in the last ten years.