At least 50 people from Papua are scheduled to meet President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Monday to discuss intentions to form a new Central Papua province.
“The point of the meeting of the Team 502 [the Papuan team] with high-ranking officials and President SBY is to ask for an immediate establishment of the Central Papua province, with Biak as the capital and the TNI [the Indonesian Military] Rear Adm. (ret.) Dicik Henks Wabiser as the acting governor,” team leader Luther Rumpadus said Sunday in Jakarta.
He said the team also scheduled interviews with local TV stations TVOne and MetroTV regarding the plan to establish the new province.
“Through the establishment of the Central Papua province, people are expected to sooner enjoy improved welfare and development in the fields of education, health, infrastructure and the economy.
“It is also expected to open wider access to job opportunities for people living in 14 regencies [planned to be part of] Central Papua,” Luther said, as quoted by Antara.