Jayapura, Jubi – Papua Governor Lukas Enembe has named M Ridwan Rumasukun to be the acting secretary of Papua while regional secretary Dance Yulian Flassy is away. Flassy was recently appointed as acting Papua governor by the Home Affairs Ministry.
Papua Communication and Information Agency head Jeri Agus Yudianto confirmed the appointment of an acting regional secretary. “The letter is valid, from the Governor himself. And it has been effective starting June 28,” Yudianto told Jubi on Wednesday, June 30, 2021.
Rumasukun has also confirmed his appointment. “It is decided so that there is no vacancy in the Papua government,” he said in a phone call.
Rumasukun said that the Governor’s secretary had delivered the letter of appointment to Home Minister Tito Karnavian through the Ministry’s Regional Autonomy director-general Akmal Malik.
Malik, however, declined Jubi’s request to comment. “No comment,” Malik said in a Whatsapp message.
Read also: Ministry appointing acting governor while Papua Governor Lukas Enembe sick reaps protests
Previously, the appointment of Dance Flassy as the acting Papua governor has deemed by some civil groups as an attempt to take over Enembe’s authority. The Ministry, however, argued that the appointment was necessary to ensure there would be no delay in the disbursement of certain funds, namely the 2021 Physical Special Allocation Fund, as Governor Enembe is still being treated for illness in a hospital in Singapore.
Reporter: Alexander Loen
Editor: Aryo Wisanggeni G
