SORONG, PAPUA BARAT DAYA – The Papuan People’s Assembly of Southwest Papua province submitted the results of factual verification of candidates for governor and deputy governor of Southwest Papua for the period 2024-2029 to the General Election Commission of Southwest Papua province. A total of 33 members of the Papuan People’s Assembly of Southwest Papua province came to the Southwest Papua General Election Commission office at around 23:45 WIT to submit the results of factual verification of candidates for governor and deputy governor whose documents were received several days earlier.
Alfons Kambu, chairman of the Papuan People’s Assembly of Southwest Papua province, accompanied by Sance Saflesa, chairman I and Paulinus Baru, chairman II, said, after conducting factual verification and being reviewed by experts, the Papuan People’s Assembly then held a plenary meeting, “The Papuan People’s Assembly has done what is mandated by the Special Autonomy Law and the authority of the Papuan People’s Assembly,” Alfons said.
Based on the results of the factual verification of candidates for governor and deputy governor, Alfons explained, there are three aspects that are taken into consideration by the Papuan People’s Assembly of Southwest Papua province, “The first, patrilineal aspect, the second has a customary area, and the last one has sacred objects,” he said.
The Chairman of the Papuan People’s Assembly of Southwest Papua province emphasized that what became the decision of the Papuan People’s Assembly could not be changed by any party, because it was the absolute and legitimate authority of the Papuan People’s Assembly, “The Papuan People’s Assembly emphasizes that the decision that has been made in the plenary meeting is valid, the decision of the Papuan People’s Assembly is not against the law, because it really conducts factual verification,” he said.
The Papuan People’s Assembly has conducted factual verification of 5 pairs of candidates for governor and deputy governor of Southwest Papua province with various aspects of consideration. As a result, 33 members of the Papuan People’s Assembly of Southwest Papua province stated that one pair of candidates for governor and deputy governor of West Papua province, Abdul Faris Umlati and Petrus Kasihiw did not qualify, “After a long debate by looking at various aspects of consideration of the Papuan People’s Assembly of Southwest Papua province, there is one pair of candidates who do not meet the requirements, such as not having a customary area, a sacred place and also a native Papuan mother. The Papuan People’s Assembly of Southwest Papua province does not limit it, but because of the conditions that require it,” said Alfons.
Paulinus Baru, deputy chairman II of the Papuan People’s Assembly of Southwest Papua province stated that the decision was in accordance with the pure authority of 33 members of the Papuan People’s Assembly without any other interests, “This is purely the Papuan People’s Assembly laying the foundation yes. Our Papuan People’s Assembly is the last bastion of indigenous Papuans and whatever the risk, we Papuan People’s Assembly will be ready to take responsibility with the Papuan people who are behind the Papuan People’s Assembly. This decision is the decision of the Papuan people, because this decision is what all indigenous Papuans in five regencies and one city are waiting for,” said Paulinus.
Paulinus emphasized that the political rights of indigenous Papuans are not given to anyone because it is the right of indigenous Papuans, “We do not give birthright, please fill other positions, but the birthright belongs to indigenous Papuans. The governor and deputy governor are our heirlooms of indigenous Papuans,” said Paulinus.
In front of 33 members of the Papuan People’s Assembly of Southwest Papua province, Alexander Duwit, the acting chairman of the Southwest Papua provincial General Election Commission, apologized because the chairman was still outside Sorong, “I on behalf of the General Election Commission institution apologize because currently the chairman of the General Election Commission cannot be present, he has activities that cannot be represented, we accept the results of factual verification from the Papuan People’s Assembly of Southwest Papua province and will be followed up together according to the stages and mechanisms that apply,” said Alexander.
With these results, the Papuan People’s Assembly and the General Election Commission of Southwest Papua province appealed to all people in Southwest Papua province to continue to maintain security and public order so that all stages of the simultaneous Regional Head Election in 2024 can take place smoothly in a safe and conducive situation.