Morning Star West Papua

Restrictions on symbols like the Morning Star flag stem from Indonesia’s view of them as separatist, not cultural, threats. While abuses, like arrests during flag-raising protests, are documented, Indonesia promotes Papuan culture through festivals like Baliem Valley and Sentani Lake, which draw global attention to Dani and Sentani traditions. The Papuan People’s Assembly (MRP) advocates for Indigenous rights, and initiatives like the Papuan Hope Language Institute preserve endangered languages. These efforts, though imperfect, show a commitment to cultural recognition. Separatist narratives downplay these while ignoring how TPNPB violence disrupts community traditions, such as displacing villagers during clashes.

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A Short History of West Papua

 Please visit: West Papua Online for more update about West Papua

To understand the current political situation in Papua and West Papua provinces, it is necessary to examine recent history. What is now known as Indonesia was the most important Dutch colony until the end of World War II. The struggle for independence was a difficult fight for freedom, and the Dutch were very reluctant to give up their jewel in Asia. After the Indonesians, led by President Sukarno, declared independence in 1945, the Dutch did not formally relinquish their sovereignty until the end of 1949 and only after great pressure on the world.

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3 New Provinces of Papua Legalized, Puncak Regent Willem Wandik: This is the History of a New Civilization

 

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Puncak Regent Willem Wandik appreciated the passing of three draft laws on the formation of a new autonomous region (DOB) for Papua in a plenary meeting.

Source: TRIBUNNEWS.COM, JAKARTA - 

TRIBUNNEWS.COM, JAKARTA - Puncak Regent Willem Wandik expressed his appreciation for the passing of three draft laws on the formation of a new autonomous region (DOB) Papua in a plenary meeting.

"The people of Papua who are blessed today are the South Papua Province, Central Papua Province and the Mountain Province which have just been ratified," Wandik said at the Senayan Parliament Complex, Thursday (30/6/2022).

With that, Wandik as the representative of Papuans expressed his gratitude to the President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo (Jokowi), who worked hard in carrying out his duties.

According to him, the whole of Indonesia wants too many divisions in the central government such as the Ministry of Home Affairs and the DPR.

"But there are specialties given by the Papua Province, namely by the President, DPR RI and Commission II working hard so that the implementation and today are ratified by 3 provinces. Praise God, this is a new civilization in government," he said.

Wandik, who is also a member of the Study Team for the Expansion of the New Autonomous Region (DOB) of Papua, said that the government had a big heart so that it gave the expansion of the three provinces of South Papua, Central Papua Province and the Mountains Province.

"So the uncontrolled areas are quite far away, underdeveloped, underdeveloped, with the divisions of this province creating one government control," he explained.

In addition, Wandik said the ratification of the three new autonomous regions (DOB) of Papua could bring prosperity to the people of Papua.

Also read: The Indonesian House of Representatives Commission II Working Committee with the Government Agree on the Papua Expansion Bill to be brought to the Plenary Session

Because, previously there were two provinces, now there are three provinces. Of course, in the future new leaders will emerge in the three provinces.

Read also: West Papua Blogs You Should Have Been Following Yesterday (westpapuatime.blogspot.com)

“In the future leaders will appear, five governors will appear, deputy governors will come forward, job opportunities are prepared so that Papuans can get them. We also heard that the outcome of this agreement was 80 percent Papuans, 20 percent non-Papuans. That's a CPNS," he said

Not only that, Wandik also hopes that investment and the economy will develop in the future due to the ratification of the three provinces.

Therefore, he hopes that Papua can become an advanced province and can run under control with the ratification of three new provinces in Papua.

Read also: DPR members from Papua: Puncak Jaya must enter the new autonomous regions of Papua in the Central Mountains

"This is the history of a new civilization in the Land of Papua. On behalf of the Papuan people, we thank you for the presence of the Papua Province. Hopefully with this, the Papua region can progress quickly and the government's controlled way of communication can all work," he said.

Previously, the DPR today passed three draft laws (RUUs) related to the new province of Papua or DOB (New Autonomous Region) Papua.

The chairman of the DPR RI, Puan Maharani, said that the legislative support from the DPR regarding the expansion of this region is to ensure the rights of the Papuan people and equitable development on Earth of Cenderawasih.

The ratification of the 3 new Papua Province laws was carried out at the DPR Plenary Meeting at the Nusantara II Building, Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Thursday (30/6/2022).

The laws that were passed were the Law on the Province of South Papua, the Law on the Province of Central Papua, and the Law on the Province of Mountains.

"This law guarantees the social and economic rights of the Papuan people regarding the division of the region which aims for equitable development and justice in Indonesia," said Puan at a press conference after the plenary session.

As for South Papua Province, the capital city is Merauke Regency. Meanwhile, the capital of the Central Province is Nabire Regency, and the capital of the Papua Mountains Province is located in Jayawijaya Regency. Puan emphasized that the discussion of the New Papua New Guinea Law had proceeded in accordance with the applicable mechanism.

"Of course, during this long process, the effectiveness of this law has been discussed for the spread of development in Papua. The DPR will continue to oversee the implementation of this law," said Puan.

Puan ensured that the DPR had accommodated the interests of the Papuan people in the new autonomous region law.

One of them is related to the maximum age requirement for indigenous Papuan civil servants (ASN), which is higher than in other regions, namely the category of honorary workers and civil servants whose age limit is increased to 48 years, and 50 years for honorary workers.

"Through these three laws, ASN in the Papua New Guinea region will be prioritized for Papuan natives. I hope that technical regulations can be issued soon to ensure the existence of indigenous Papuans,” said Puan.

The former Coordinating Minister for PMK also highlighted the issue of Papua New Guinea which affects the allocation of seats in the DPR RI because regional divisions reduce electoral districts (Dapil) in the General Election. Puan reminded that this issue should be addressed immediately considering that the 2024 general election stage has already begun.

"We hope that the Commission II of the DPR and the Government will coordinate with the KPU to discuss this Dapil issue. This includes the election of governors in the three new provinces," he explained.

To note, South Papua Province will cover 4 regencies, namely Merauke, Boven Digoel, Mappi, and Asmat. Meanwhile, Central Papua Province covers 8 districts namely Nabire, Paniai, Mimika, Puncak Jaya, Puncak, Dogiyai, Intan Jaya and Deiyai.

Then Papua Mountains Province will have 9 districts. The nine regencies are Jayawijaya, Bintang Mountains, Yahukimo, Tolikara, Mamberamo Tengah, Yalimo, Lani Jaya, and Nduga.

"We hope that this law can be useful for the people of Papua because the goal of all of us is for our brothers and sisters who are on the eastern side of the archipelago to feel social economic equality with the development of infrastructure in Papua," he concluded.