Jakarta, Jubi – Papuan governor Lukas Enembe is being treated for an undisclosed illness in Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore. The Papua Provincial Government is, therefore, currently being led by regional secretary Dance Yulian Flassy as Papuan deputy governor Klemen Tinal passed away on Friday, May 21, 2021.
Ministry of Home Affairs spokesperson Benny Irwan said on Wednesday that for the time being, the regional secretary would run the government in Papua. “The Papua Government will have the regional secretary at the wheel,” he said, as quoted by CNNIndonesia.com.
He added that in carrying out government duties, the regional secretary would coordinate with the Regional Leaders Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) and several other parties. “There is the [Papua] Police chief, the military chief, the Attorney’s General Office, the Papua Regional Legislative Council (DPR) speaker, and the head of the Papuan People’s Assembly,” he said.
Irwan also said the Ministry would continue to carry out the functions of guidance and supervision as mandated in the law to ensure good governance.
Meanwhile, Papua governor spokesperson Rifai Darus said that several government functions including providing public services, implementing development programs, and empowering the community remained under the leadership of Lukas Enembe.
“The [Papua Provincial] Government continues to run within the line of command of the governor,” said Rifai.
Previously, there was information that Lukas Enembe had died. The news was denied by the director general of Regional Autonomy at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Akmal Malik. “It is a hoax. He is currently undergoing treatment, ”said Akmal.
Papua is currently experiencing internet blackout in Jayapura City and its surrounding areas since April 30 after the submarine cables of PT Telokomunikasi Indonesia (PT Telkom) were broken. The disruption of internet service happens amid the escalated armed conflict between the Indonesia Military (TNI) and police and the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) in the region.
Editor: Edi Faisol
