Maria Baru, Kota Sorong – The Papuan people in greater Sorong reject all attempts by the Papuan political elite to extend Special Autonomy (Otsus) in Papua. This opposition was expressed during a march on the Sorong City Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) on Monday January 11.
Natalis Yewen, a representative from the Sorong City Papuan People's Petition joint secretariat (Sekber PRP), asked the Papuan political elite in the regencies, provinces and central government (Jakarta) not to compromise with Indonesia in extending Special Autonomy in Papua, which will expire this year.
This is because, said Yewen, Special Autonomy for Papua is part of the oppression of the Papuan people from Sorong to Merauke.
"In the name of the Sorong Papuan People's Petition, we reject all forms of compromise by the Papuan political elite who want to extend Otsus in Papua. We condemn all efforts being made by the government of the Republic of Indonesia. Because Otsus is part of the long oppression of the Papuan people. On account of Otsus being in the interests of investment, capitalists and morality, many Papuan people have died in their own land", said Yewen in a speech in front of the Sorong DPRD.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Soal Otsus, Elit Politik Papua Diminta Tidak Kompromi dengan Jakarta".]
