Manokwari (ANTARA) – A discourse on forming a new autonomous region called Central West Papua Province gained traction after four factions in the West Papua Provincial House of Representatives (DPRP) agreed to establish a work committee.
West Papua DPRP Speaker Orgenes Wonggor said in Manokwari on Tuesday that the four factions had voiced a common stance on the discourse, proposed by residents of the Bomberay customary region, during Monday’s plenary session.
“The aspirations conveyed through the four factions will soon be followed up with the establishment of a work committee,” he said.
Wonggor explained that the plan entails West Papua Province relinquishing the Bomberay customary region – encompassing Teluk Bintuni, Teluk Wondama, Fakfak, and Kaimana districts – to pave the way for the establishment of Central West Papua Province.
“The council’s secretariat will issue a decree establishing the work committee. Although the authority to decide to create a new administrative region rests with the central government, we remain determined to advocate for people’s aspirations,” the speaker said.
West Papua Regional Secretary Ali Baham Temongmere emphasized that any attempt to establish a new administrative region in Indonesia must comply with statutory regulations, noting that its success may depend on fulfilling requirements set by the central government.
In this regard, Temongmere cited Law No. 2 of 2021 concerning Papua’s Special Autonomy, which provides room for people in seven customary regions to pursue administrative divisions. They are Bomberay, Mamta, Saireri, La Pago, Mee Pago, Anim Ha, and Domberay.
Meanwhile, Amanat Sejahtera faction speaker at the West Papua DPRP Rachmad Sinamur highlighted that the movement advocating for a new province in Bomberay had emerged several years ago but stalled due to a moratorium on the establishment of new regions.
In January 2023, he added, the leaders of the four Bomberay districts agreed to push for the establishment of a new province, with the central government notified of the campaign.
Sinamur emphasized the need for relevant regional administrations to continue advancing the movement while preparing to meet the requirements, including the establishment of new districts.
Having been divided between Papua and West Papua provinces for decades, Indonesia’s Papua region expanded administratively with the establishment of Central Papua, Southwest Papua, Highland Papua, and South Papua in 2022.
If established, Central West Papua will become Indonesia’s 39th province, though its formation requires the creation of new districts. The 2014 Law on Regional Governments stipulates that a province must comprise a minimum of five districts or cities.
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Translator: F.S. Weking, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Primayanti
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