TEMPO.CO, Jayapura - Thousands of Papuan students marched to protest against the Draft Bill on Special Autonomy Plus. The protesters marched for 30 kilometers from Abepura to Jayapura, carrying banners and shouting "Special Autonomy Plus bring no change to Papuans."
Acting Secretary of the Papua Province Hery Dosinaen, stated that students who rejected the Special Autonomy Plus merely implementing their rights of democracy. However, he mentioned that the Draft Bill aims to bring about Papuan identity and dignity.
"[The Draft Bill] can accelerate development in Papua and seek to reconcile social and political issues," he said.
Moreover, Hery said that the 2001 Special Autonomy Law is no longer relevant to current situation of the region.
Special Autonomy Plus will later grant authority to the Governor of Papua as an extension of the central government. The authority includes assembling cooperation with foreign parties, without central goverment's involvement.
CUNDING LEVI