Megawati opens Papua PDI-P conference

TIMIKA, Papua: Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri opened a conference at Hotel Rimba Papua on Tuesday.

More than 305 party members and caretakers of the executive board from 22 chapters from across the province attended the meeting.

Also present were party secretary general Pramono Anung, PDI-P Regional Representatives Council (DPD) head Komaruddin Waetubun and Papua Governor Barnabas Suebu.

In her keynote speech, Megawati encouraged Papuans in development and applauded the province’s wealth in resources.

The former president recalled the past, saying that the country’s first president Sukarno, her father, had initiated a concept of national independence and statehood.

“I remember when I was the country’s vice president, [then president] Gus Dur initiated the concept of prioritizing development in the eastern part of the country.

“The concept was followed up by visiting the area by warship for a couple of weeks.” — JP