House Enacts Law on Papua Special Autonomy
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15 July 2021 18:17 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The House of Representatives (DPR) in a plenary meeting on Thursday has officially ratified the revised law on Papua Special Autonomy (Otsus). The plenary was led by House deputy speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad.
According to Head of the Papua Otsus special committee Komarudin Watubun, public aspirations had always been taken into account in the drafting of the bill. That include the Papua and West Papua People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), regional legislators, and a number of public figures.
The new law will boost a special autonomy fund for Papua, ensure affirmative action for indigenous people in local politics, boost healthcare and education and funnel more proceeds from oil and gas.
The revision to the Special Autonomy Law sparked protests from many Papuan groups. On Wednesday, students of Cenderawasih University held a rally against the extension of the special autonomy. Meanwhile, human rights and civil groups accused the government of not involving the Papuan society to evaluate the revision of the law.
Read: Govt-DPR Set Up Working Committee for Papua Special Autonomy Bill
BUDIARTI UTAMI PUTRI | REUTERS