Papua (province): Difference between revisions

Revision as of 13:18, 8 February 2007

Revision as of 23:37, 8 February 2007

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The province of Papua is governed by a directly-elected governor (currently Barnabas Suebu) and a regional legislature, DPRP (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Papua). A unique government organisation that only exists in Papua is the MRP (Majelis Rakyat Papua / Papuan People's Council) that was formed by the [[Government of Indonesia|Indonesian Government]] in 2005 as a coalition of Papuan tribal chiefs, tasked with arbitration and speaking on behalf of Papuan tribal customs.

Indonesian governance of Papua is controversial with international opinion varying a great deal. Some view it as naked [[colonialism]], others maintain that Indonesia represents a legitimate authority with a willing people. Frank expression of views is complicated by the delicate and troubled relationship many nations have with Indonesia. The [[Free Papua Movement]] strives for independence of the area from Indonesia. Like the rest of Indonesia, governance of the province has traditionally been strong and centralised from Jakarta. Papua was a major beneficiary of a nation-wide decentralisation process started in 1999 and the Special Autonomy status introduced in 2002. Measures included the formation of the MRP and redistribution of resource revenues. The implementation, however, of the Special Autonomy measures has been criticized by many as only being half-hearted.{{citeFact|date=February needed2007}}

In 1999 it was proposed to split the province into three government-controlled sectors, sparking Papuan protests (see [http://www.worldevangelical.org/persec_papua_21nov03.html external article]). In January 2003 President [[Megawati Sukarnoputri]] signed an order dividing Papua into three provinces: [[Central Irian Jaya]] ([[Irian Jaya Tengah]]), Papua (or [[East Irian Jaya]], [[Irian Jaya Timur]]), and [[West Irian Jaya]] ([[Irian Jaya Barat]]). The formality of installing a local government for Jaraka in Irian Jaya Barat (West) took place in February 2003 and a governor was appointed in November; a government for Irian Jaya Tengah (central) was delayed from August 2003 due to violent local protests. The creation of this separate central province was blocked by Indonesian courts, who declared it to be unconstitutional and in contravention of the Papua's special autonomy agreement. The previous division into two provinces was allowed to stand as an established fact. (King, 2004, p. 91)

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== Geography ==

A central east-west [[mountain range]] dominates the geography of New Guinea, over 1600 [[kilometre|km]] in total length. The western section is around 600 km long and 100 km across. The province contains the highest mountains between the [[Himalayas]] and the [[Andes]], rising up to 4884 m high, and ensuring a steady supply of rain from the tropical atmosphere. The [[tree line]] is around 4000 m [[elevation]] and the tallest peaks contain permanent equatorial glaciers -- sadly disappearing due to a [[global warming|changing climate]]. Various other smaller mountain ranges occur both north and west of the central ranges. Except in high elevations, most areas possess a warm humid climate throughout the year, with some seasonal variation associated with the [[Monsoon#Northeast_Winter_Monsoon_Northeast Winter Monsoon .28Asia.29|northeast monsoon]] season.

The third major habitat feature are the vast southern and northern lowlands. Stretching for hundreds of kilometers, these include lowland rainforests, extensive [[wetland]]s, [[savanna]] grasslands, and some of the largest expanses of [[mangrove]] forest in the world. The southern lowlands are the site of [[Lorentz National Park]], also a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]].

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The population of Papua province and the neighboring [[West Irian Jaya]], both of which are still under a united administration, totalled 2,646,489 in [[2005]].<ref>[http://irja.bps.go.id/LEFT%20FRAME/Proyeksi%20Penduduk%20%20menurut%20Kabupaten.htm BPS Papua]</ref> Since the early [[1990s]] Papua has had the highest population growth rate of all Indonesian provinces at over 3% annually. This is partly a result of high birth rates, but also from immigration from other regions in Indonesia.

According to the [[2000]] census, 78% of the Papuan population identified themselves as Christian with 54% being Protestant and 24% being Catholic. 21% of the population was Muslim and less than 1% were Buddhist or Hindu.<ref>[http://eng.papua.go.id/profil/profilpapua.html Profile of Papua - official website]</ref> There is also substantial practice of [[animism]] by Papuans, which is not recorded by the Indonesian government in line with the policy of [[Pancasila Indonesia|Pancasila]].{{factFact|date=February 2007}}

== Ecology ==