Jayapura, Jubi – Alfred Freddy Anouw, the Secretary of the Bangun Papua Fraction of the Papuan House of Representatives (DPR Papua) suggested the Papuan People’s Assembly (MRP) to invite the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) and West Papua National Committee (KNPB) to attend the Assembly’s Hearing (RDP). Anouw gave the statement when contacted by Jubi on Saturday (14/11/2020).
TPNPB and KNPB must have an opportunity to express their opinions and aspirations in the RDP, he said. “TPNPB and KNPB must involve in the Hearing to share their thought about what has been happening, ultimately in the Meepago customary area,” said Anouw on Saturday.
He further said the participation of these two organisations in the RDP is crucial concerning the scheduled evaluation of the Special Autonomy (Otsus) in Papua because they have so far continued to oppose the central government’s policy. “We all know that Otsus was a substitute for the Independence of Papua. Thus, it’s proper if TPNPB talk about it in the RDP instead of those who [have been] comfortably living in urban areas and benefited from Otsus,” he said.
Regarding the RDP, he suggested the MRP organise the hearing in an open space. Therefore, he hopes, the public can witness and monitor opinions and aspirations discussed in the RDP.
In the meantime, the MRP Chairman Timotius Murib said the Fourth Quarterly Session of 2020 would become a special session for MRP as it will conduct the RDP in five customary areas to hear opinions and feedbacks from Papuan people concerning the implementation of Otsus Papua.
He hopes that all assembly members to prepare themselves properly. “We has given a special direction for the members of MRP to be well prepared in carrying out the RDP,” said Murib after chairing the plenary meeting on Friday.
Separately, Dominikus Surabut, the Chairman of Papua Customary Council (DAP) elected in the Extraordinary Congress, declared that DAP had rejected Otsus Papua since the policy enacted in Papua for the first time in 2001.
“In 2001, DAP rejected Otsus, while in 2007 and 2010, we concluded that Otsus failed by this time and [we] rejected it. From 2001 to 2020, our standpoint toward Otsus remains the same,” said Surabut on Tuesday (13/10/2020). (*)
