Jayapura – The Papuan People’s Council (MRP) enthusiastically supports the central government’s intentions to establish new autonomous regions (DOB) in South Papua, Central Highlands Papua, and Central Papua in order to promote fair, equitable, and inclusive development.
MRP is a special governmental agency representing Papua’s original culture, and it has been given particular authorities to preserve the rights of the Papuan people. It was founded in accordance with Law Number 21 of 2001 on Papua Province’s Special Autonomy.
MRP member Dorince Mehue stated in a statement released here on Saturday that this was communicated 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.
Furthermore, she praised the central government’s efforts to develop the province through Law Number 2 of 2021 on the Special Autonomy for Papua Province and its many derivative laws.
According to Mehue, the regulations strengthen preparations for the grand plan on Papua’s rapid development from 2022 to 2041.
“We also advocate the expedited ratification of the indigenous custom community bill in order to defend the rights of Papuan native people,” she added.
Furthermore, she stated that in order to achieve inclusive socio-political reconciliation and resolve numerous difficulties in the province, President Jokowi and the central government endeavored to interact with the Papuan people using a humanist approach.
Previously, on May 20, 2022, the president called six members of the MRP and four members of the West Papuan People’s Council to a meeting at the Bogor Presidential Palace in West Java Province to discuss the establishment of three DOB in Papua.
The meeting was also attended by the chiefs of Jayapura District and Sorong City, as well as the chancellors of the University of Cenderawasih (Uncen) and the State University of Papua (Unipa).
