SEMINAR ON FUTURE OF LEGISLATIVE SEATS FOR NATIVE PAPUANS (Jubi)
Jayapura, 2/13 (Jubi) – Papua’s online news portal tabloidjubi.com held a seminar titled “What is the Future of 14 Legislative Seats for Native Papuans?”.
The purpose of this seminar was to seek clarity on 14 seats in the Papuan Legislative Council for native Papuans, attained after long struggles by local communities.
“The issue of 14 allocated seats for Papuan indigenous people (Orang Asli Papua) has been addressed since the 2004 legislative elections. The number of DPRP seats ( the Papuan Legislative Council) is 56, made up of 45 seats for political parties and 11 seats for indigenous Papuans based on the Special Autonomy Law,” Yusak Reba, chairman of the Institute for Civil Society Strengthening (ICS) Papua told the seminar at the Grand Abe Hotel Thursday (2/13).
He said that in the 2009 elections, the allocation of seats was the same as in 2004. It was based on the mandate of Article 6 Paragraph 4 of the Special Autonomy Law.
But in the upcoming 2014 election, Papuans must fight for the 14 seats.
“In 2004 and 2009 the quota was not implemented. In 2014 we have to fight for its implementation becaise it’s the right of the Papuans”, said Yusak.
He said the 14 seats had been dominated by old players and they should be filled by fresh blood. Unfortunately, as the election approches, there is still no legal certainty on the 14 seats in DPRP, he added.
Another speaker, Aloysius Renwarin, coordinator of Indonesian Papua New Democracy Institute, said.
“The quality of the election can be viewed from two sides of the process and the results. In terms of process, the election can be said to be qualified if the process is held democratically, honestly, fairly, and safely,” he said.
He added that the process should produce qualified people’s representatives and leaders who are able to realize national ideals, as stated in the opening of the 1945 Constitution and to raise the dignity of the nation and in the eyes of the international community.
A day seminar was attended by 40 participants, representatives of KPUD, NGOs, indigenous people and students. (Jubi / Aprila/ Tina)
