Jakarta, Jubi – Commission II of the House of Representatives overseeing home affairs, in a Working Meeting on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, agreed to form a Working Committee for the Deliberation of Three Bills on the Establishment of Three Provinces in Papua to be completed on June 30, 2022. The bills stipulate the formation of the South Papua, Central Papua, and Central Highlands Papua provinces.
“We have arranged a schedule for discussing the bill, and on June 30 there will be a plenary session so, we hope that the deliberation of this bill can be completed before June 30,” said Commission II chair Ahmad Doli Kurnia on Tuesday, as quoted by Antara.
According to Kurnia, Commission II began discussing the bill on Wednesday and would obtain the aspirations of the Papuan people until Sunday. In addition, he said, Commission targeted the finalization of the bills to be carried out next Monday to Wednesday (June 27-29) so they could be brought to the Plenary Meeting and be issued as laws next Thursday.
“We hope that a decision can be made at Commission II on June 29, then on June 30, it will be brought to the House Plenary Meeting to be approved as laws. I hope the process goes smoothly,” he said.
Papua Expansion is an Implementation of Regional Autonomy
Deputy Chairman of Commission II Saan Mustofa said the expansion of the Papua Province was an implementation of regional autonomy to ensure harmonious relationships between the central and regional governments, as well as within the framework of Indonesia’s integrity.
“Based on the mandate of Law No. 2/2021 on Papua Special Autonomy, the government and the House can expand provinces, cities, and regencies to accelerate equitable development and improve public services,” Saan said on Tuesday.
In addition, according to him, the expansion is also based on Article 93 of the Government Regulation No. 106/2021 on the Authority and Institutional Implementation of the Papua Special Autonomy Policy. “The Papua expansion is different from other regional expansions which refer to Law No. 23/2014 on Regional Government. The Papua expansion is in accordance with Papua Special Autonomy Law, wherein expansion of provinces, cities, and regencies is carried out without setting up preparatory areas,” he said.
Saan said the bills explained the regions resulting from the division. South Papua Province includes Merauke Regency, Boven Digoel Regency, Mapi Regency, and Asmat Regency. Central Papua Province includes Nabire Regency, Paniai Regency, Mimika Regency, Puncak Jaya Regency, Puncak Regency, Dogiai Regency, Intan Jaya Regency, and Deian Regency. While Central Highlands Papua Province includes Jayawijaya Regency, Yahukimo Regency, Tolikara Regency, Central Mamberamo Regency, Yalimo Regency, Lani Jaya Regency, and Nduga Regency.
The House Commission II Working Meeting was also attended by Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian and Chairman of Committee I Filep Wamafma. (*)
