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Papuans rally for more indigenous candidates
Thousands of protestors in Jayapura, Papua, demanded on Tuesday that the government implement a decree that would require that candidates in Papua’s regional elections be indigenous Papuans
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T
housands of protestors in Jayapura, Papua, demanded on Tuesday that the government implement a decree that would require that candidates in Papua’s regional elections be indigenous Papuans.
Members of the Democratic Forum for Unitary Papua (Fordem), marched almost 20 kilometers from Abepura to the governor’s office in Jayapura and carried banners that expressed support of the decree, Papua People’s Council’s (MRP) Decree No. 14/2009.
Fordem also hopes that Papuans will run in regional elections throughout the province, said a forum organizer.
Protestors stopped at the MRP office in Kotaraja and at the Papuan Provincial Legislative Council (DPRP) building in Jayapura and listened to an organizer read a written statement.
The statement, read to the crowd by John Baransano, a Catholic priest, asked newcomers to the province to respect and support implementation of Law No. 21/2001.
The proposed law, which covered Papuan autonomy, would give indigenous Papuans an opportunity to develop and exercise political rights, said a forum organizer.
MRP Chairman Agus Alua told reporters that indigenous Papuans could currently only struggle for political rights.
“Look at the market. Everything is in the hands of newcomers; Papuans have no access.
“Political rights are all that we can fight for,” said Agus Alua.
Agus added the decree was intended to protect the future political rights of indigenous Papuans.
In the next 10 to 20 years, Papuans are expected to become a minority in their own land, he said.
The decree’s legality prompted election officials to postpone regional elections in 27 regencies and municipalities in Papua.
Provincial authorities have also postponed implementation of the decree for 60 days while legal issues are resolved.
The process of obtaining a “legal umbrella” of protection for the decree was underway at the Coordinating Ministry of Political, Legal and Security Affairs and at the Home Affairs Ministry, said Agus.
“We are now waiting for the official government regulation.”
