The UK remains committed to the territorial integrity of Indonesia.

My Lords, the UK remains committed to the territorial integrity of Indonesia. We will do all we can in support of measures to address the widespread poverty in the area in question, and to raise our concerns about human rights abuses wherever they occur. We encourage, along with other international partners, a meaningful dialogue which would be of assistance in finding an acceptable solution.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Lord Howell of Guildford

Source : Lord Hansard

Recent Development in Papua and West Papua Provinces

Several minor security disturbances are happening in certain areas in Papua and Indonesia in general. The local governments together with the police are working hard to make Papua peaceful and safe.

The dynamic security condition in Papua is Indonesia’s internal affairs handled through the implementation of the Special Autonomy and The New Deal Policy for Papua.

Regulation No. 21/2001 regarding Special Autonomy is the legal basis for the Province and the people of Papua to gain wider legitimacy in managing itself and larger responsibility in running governance and exploiting its natural resources for the benefit of the people.

Questioning the Unquestionable: An Overview of the Restoration of Papua into the Republic of Indonesia

Permanent Mission of the Republic of Indonesia
to the United Nations
New York
2003

Preface

Papua, the easternmost province in Indonesia, has its unique place in multiethnic and multicultural Indonesia, the world’s largest archipelago. It has also had a turbulent history within the early history of independent Indonesia.

“Questioning the Unquestionable: An Overview of the Restoration of Papua into the Republic of Indonesia” has been chosen as the title of this publication out of the conviction that a fair, comprehensive and objective assessment of the issues does put to rest attempts to distort the true history or to disrupt its territorial integrity and development of Indonesia. Such schemes achieve nothing but perpetuate the suffering of the Papuans and deny them the full enjoyment of their right to develop as Indonesians.

Facts on Indonesia 's Sovereignty over irian jaya (Papua and West Papua Provinces )

Questions and Answers

1. What was the nature of the  Irian Jaya (Papua and West Papua Provinces ) issues ? Was this issue a case of decolonization or incomplete decolonization of Indonesia ?

Irian Jaya (Papua and West Papua Provinces ) issues was a bilateral matter between the Netherlands and Indonesia regarding an incomplete process of decolonization of the Netherlands East Indies. Irian Jaya (Papua and West Papua Provinces ) was neither a separate entity nor a non-self-governing territory detached from the Netherlands East Indies. The problem arose when the Netherlands insisted on maintaining its presence in the western half New Guinea . At the beginning, there was no international dimension to this problem until Indonesia brought the issue to the United Nations in 1954 after all bilateral means had been exhausted. Therefore, Irian Jaya (Papua and West Papua Provinces ) was an unresolved question of decolonization of Indonesian territory of what was once the Netherlands East Indies. It was the disruption of the Dutch decolonization process in 1949 that led to struggle of more than a decade by Indonesia to consolidate its territorial integrity and sovereignty over  Irian Jaya (Papua and West Papua Provinces ).

President SBY officiates five new colleges in Papua

The Jakarta Post | Mon, 11/22/2010 2:07 PM | National

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) officiated five new universities in Papua on Monday.

The universities were Musamus Merauke University , Borneo Tarakan University , Bangka Belitung University , Babel Polytechnic and Batam Polytechnic, Antara news portal reported.

The President officiated the institutions after delivering a speech at the National Student Executive Board conference at Cendrawasih University .
The President signed five tablets, as his entourage, guests and the chiefs of the Student Executive Board looked on.

All of the new colleges are located near the state border.

In his speech, Yudhoyono said the new institutions were intended to improve the education sector, which was one of the keys to national development.
“It will also improve the quality of human resources in colleges,” he said.

SBY was accompanied by First Lady Ani Kristianti, Coordinating Minister for Public Welfare Minister Agung Laksono, Home Minister Gamawan Fauzi, Finance Minister Agus Martowardojo, Minister of Agriculture Suswono, State Secretary Sudi Silalahi, National Education Minister Muhammad Nuh, Cabinet Secretary Dipo Alam, Indonesian Military chief Adm. Agus Suhartono, and National Police Chief Gen. Timur Pradopo.

Indonesian army progressing on human rights

Testimony by Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Robert Scher


"During the past decade, the Indonesian Armed Forces, known by the Indonesian acronym of TNI, have undertaken several critical institutional reforms to help achieve Indonesia’s goal of establishing greater civilian control over the military. These reforms include formally removing the military from political affairs, as codified in Indonesian Law 34/2004; establishing a clear delineation between the responsibilities of the civilian police forces and the TNI; and enhancing the authority of the civilian defense minister. While the United States has encouraged and applauded such reforms, it is important to note that the Government of Indonesia undertook them of its own volition, as a reflection of its commitment to democratic values and to playing the role of a responsible leader in Southeast Asia. It is particularly notable that these reforms have taken place so shortly after Indonesia’s transition from autocratic rule."

Complete article please read : US Foreign Affairs

Thorough look into Papua autonomy

Neles Tebay, Papua | Tue, 10/19/2010 9:39 AM | Opinion Jakarta Post

After nine years of waiting, the central government has finally decided to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the implementation of the Law on Special Autonomy for Papua. The evaluation is scheduled for next year. The director for regional management and special autonomy at the Home Ministry, Sumarsono, said in August that the comprehensive evaluation would measure the effectiveness of the autonomy law in practice. Thus the evaluation needs to be supported by all parties and stakeholders — whether in Jakarta, Jayapura or Manokwari.

Auditing Papua’s special autonomy fund

Neles Tebay Abepura, Papua | Thu, 09/16/2010 9:51 AM | Opinion Jakarta Post

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s government has taken the initiative to conduct an audit of the special autonomy fund in the provinces of Papua and West Papua in 2011.

The initiative shows that the central government is committed to examining how the local governments in the two provinces have spent billions of rupiah under the special autonomy package.

Papua provinces development funds: SBY

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Fri, 07/30/2010 9:39 AM | Headlines

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has ordered an audit of the disbursement of the state budget for the development of Papua’s two provinces, saying that progress on development to date was far from satisfying.

“I think it will be important for us to conduct an audit of the special autonomy regional development fund.

I have received many letters that accuse [Jakarta] of carelessness for, among other things, shortcomings in Papua’s development fund,” he said at Merdeka Palace on Thursday.

The UK supports the territorial integrity of Indonesia

The UK supports the territorial integrity of Indonesia. We do not support calls to ask the International Court of Justice for an advisory opinion on whether the New York Agreement was contrary to the UN Charter or the UN General Assembly Resolution 1514. The UN General Assembly took note of the “New York Agreement” between Indonesia and the Netherlands in Resolution 1752. This has been the policy of successive Governments and remains unchanged by the Government. 

Minister of State at the Foreign Office, Mr Jeremy Browne MP

Source : Commons Hansard

Village Development

By Drs. J.E Hosio, M.Si. M..Th

A. Background

The implementation of special autonomy (OTSUS) for Papua province as regulated in UU No.21 Year 2001 gave wider authority to Papua local government and the people. On top of that, OTSUS implementation is a basic alteration of government system from centralised, bureaucratic and uniformed, to decentralised, transparent and based on local requirements.

Government regulations on decentralisation through UU Number 32 Year 2004 and fiscal decentralisation through UU Number 33 Year 2004 are in line with OTSUS policy for Papua local government and the people to administer themselves in Papua within the framework of United Nation of Republic of Indonesia.

UU No.21 Year 2001 on OTSUS for Papua, especially Article 15 and 34, gives wider autonomy to Papua local government in managing Papua’s special budget to ensure effective spending for the welfare of Papuans.

This wider autonomy comes with bigger responsibility for Papua local government and its people. Participation from all levels of Papuans is expected. Thus, reformation pillars to conduct government and fiscal of democracy, decentralisation and people’s participation are the basis and goal in conducting Village Development Programme.

Development Acceleration

By Drs. J.E Hosio, M.Si. M..Th

1. The arrival and implementation effect of UU No.21

Result of UU No.21 Year 2001 implementation on Special Autonomy for Papua is still far from expectation. Billions of Rupiah have been granted to improve Papua’s welfare. Unfortunately, the reality is far from ideal.

People in small villages live in very modest houses made of paddy walls, barks and leaves. They live in the dark as these houses have no electricity. They have little access to clean water, education and healthcare.

Most of Papua population still lives isolated in the high mountain and cliff, in remote island, over deep brackish water and dale. Most of these people was not reached and touched by development. The answer to this is lack of road infrastructure to get to these remote areas.

The expansion of province brought hope since its basic philosophy is to shorten government control over people. Ironically, only a few elite officials feel the advantage. This condition leads to significant plummet of trust from people towards central, province and regent governments.

But central government does notice  and give extra attention to millions of Papuans living on the far East Indonesia. The bleak condition of people in Papua encouraged central government to implement new paradigm of building Papua with dignity.

Finally, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono issued President Instruction Number  Year 2007 on 16 May 200. This step taken by the government is the continuation of  UU No.21 Year 2001 on Special Autonomy for Papua. The idea of this Instruction is  to accelerate development in Papua.

This is evident from President’s instruction to eleven related Ministers, Papua and West Papua Governors and all Mayors in the two provinces to take the necessary actions based on each function and authority to accelerate development.

2. Development Priority for Transport Infrastructures

Compare to other areas in Indonesia, Papua’s geographic landscape is a very tough terrain. Many indigenous Papuans live on high mountains, in isolated island and deep valleys. Most has not experienced development. The only way to open this isolation is to build and manage good ground, air and water transportations.

To that end, President Instruction No.5/2007 elected both Papua and West Papua governors as accountable for their own territory on sustainable development. They are expected to focus on five areas. One, food supply security and poverty reduction. Two, education quality improvement. Three, healthcare quality improvement. Four, basic infrastructure improvement in remote areas to improve accessibility. Five, special attention on quality improvement of indigenous Papuans.  

Source : Papua Barat dalam Realitas Politik NKRI by Drs. Jusach Eddy Hosio, M.Si. (free translation)

District Economy

By Drs. J.E Hosio, M.Si. M..Th

The economy of West Papua province is dominated mainly by agriculture. This is understandable due to its high agricultural potential. Rice, yam, ground nuts, green beans are among the major green grocer produce with production total of 124,565 tons in almost 35,168 hectare or an average of 35.47 kw/ha.

Wildlife forest of 11,678 hectare is the smallest forest in this region. At the moment, there are two entrepreneurs operating here; Kayu Lapis Indonesia Group and Djajanti Group covering Fak-fak Regent, Sorong and Manokwari.

Socio Cultural Condition

By Drs. J.E Hosio, M.Si. M..Th

 

1. Population

The population of West Irian Jaya in 2001 was 571,107 or 34.35% of total Papua population. The ratio of each town and province is as follows: Sorong city 157,116; Sorong province (including South Sorong) 139,038; Manokwari province (including Teluk Bintuni and Teluk Wondama provinces) 195,166 and Fak-Fak province 79,742. There is a steady increase in population since 1990. The population of 385,509 in 1990 increased to 571,107 in 2001 or a 32.5% increase.

Looking at the welfare, population of West Irian Jaya with 54,361 families falls under pre-welfare. This is understandable for its tough geographic landscape with limited infrastructure causing development to move slowly. Also, people’s low education level made a huge impact.

History of Governance

By Drs. J.E Hosio, M.Si. M..Th

Portuguese first came to Papua in 1551. They arrived in Manokwari and built Kenari Tinggi fortress. Their interest on Papua was the result of increased world demand on spices.

In 1663, the Dutch declared Papua as property of the King and the Dutch Empire. Their strategy to colonise Papua was to build trade relations through VOC.

The Dutch East Indies policy as recorded on State Paper No.62 dated 9 February 1989 stated Residen Ternate area is part of Afdeling Noord Nieuw Guinea based in Manokwari. On 1 May 1963, governmental system was adjusted based on President of RI Decree No.22 Year 1963 that Keresidenan Manokari was changed to Kabupaten Administratif(Administrative Regency). To maximise the effectiveness of state organisation, three Governor’s Assistance Area was established, each to be called Pembantu Gubernur Wilayah I based in Jayapura, .Pembantu Gubernur Wilayah II based in Manokwari and Pembantu Gubernur Wilayah III based in Merauke.

History of governance at the ‘Bird Head’ region showed a government administration unity of West Irian Jaya province with its capital Manokwari. This was legalised with UU No.45 Year 1999 on West Irian Jaya Expansion according to Paragraph 4 Line 2: West Irian Jaya consisted of eight regencies and one city, Sorong. The regencies were Sorong, Manokwari, Fak-Fak and five new expansions, South Sorong, Raja Ampat, Teluk Wondama, Teluk Bintuni and Kaimana.

Source : Papua Barat dalam Realitas Politik NKRI by Drs. Jusach Eddy Hosio, M.Si. (free translation)