Papuan People's Assembly Presents Input From Cultural Decisions To Coordinating Minister For Political, Legal And Security Affairs

JAKARTA - The Papuan People's Council (MRP) accompanied by Amnesty International Indonesia conveyed inputs from the results of the MRP's cultural decisions for 2021-2022 to the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD.

"These decisions are important to provide protection and affirmation for Papuan Indigenous People," said Chairman of the Papuan People's Council (MRP) Timotius Murib, as quoted in a statement released by ANTARA, Friday, August 5.

Mahfud responded positively to the inputs in the decision submitted by the MRP, one of which was about the future of the Indigenous Papuans, as well as emphasized that the constitution of the Republic of Indonesia provides protection and regulation that is more in favor of indigenous peoples and customary law.

"Regarding customs, our constitution does provide protection and regulation that favors indigenous peoples, even customary law," said the former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court.

Mahfud also noted various inputs from the MRP which were considered important. In fact, Mahfud asked the Secretary General of the Ministry of Home Affairs (Secretary General of the Ministry of Home Affairs) Suhajar Diantoro to follow up on several important points.

Then regarding the input on the new autonomous regions (DOB) in Papua, Mahfud conveyed that the public policy in the new autonomous regions was implemented, not alternative.

Thus, according to him, the parties in it, both the government and the Papuan people, can still give and receive input, especially regarding customs.

Then, Timothy said with regard to the new autonomous regions, particularly regarding the determination of the three new regional capitals, amid the existing pros and cons, in principle the Papuan people accept with various notes.

"We see the situation of the grassroots communities in Merauke and Nabire, in principle, they accept it with various notes, especially in Wamena this needs to be a concern for all of us, where the declaration of the capital city is very important to carry out some kind of assistance by the MRP and a team from the government. so that people can accept it,” he said.

Timotius and Deputy Chairperson of the MRP Yoel Begint also appreciated the government's efforts in presenting the Papuan peace dialogue conducted by Komnas HAM. According to Timothy, this has received a good response from the Papuan people.

“The MRP gives the highest appreciation and appreciation for the policies of the government through the National Human Rights Commission which initiated the Papua peace dialogue. This is very important. MRP supports this and our community at the grassroots responds well,” he said.

At the end of the meeting, Amnesty International Indonesia Executive Director Usman Hamid suggested that the government should form a team under the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs to handle refugees in conflict areas in Papua or some kind of fact-finding team.

"Not to find out who is at fault or to blame certain parties, but to find out what the refugees need, identify their needs and appoint relevant agencies to handle each of the refugees' needs," said Usman.