Catholic actvists in Merauke support province split

Catholic bishops of Papua and Papua Barat (West Papua) provinces have called on Catholic young people to uphold and revive human values in service and ministry. The five bishops of Indonesian New Guinea made the call in a joint letter to the Indonesian national working meeting of Pemuda Katolik (Catholic Youth Association) in Merauke, 3,670 kilometers east of Jakarta, in Papua province's southern territory.

The bishops presented the letter on 13 February at the opening session of the four-day meeting with the theme Awaken and Move: Historical and Cultural Basics of Catholic Church to Develop New Habitus for the Nation.

The five bishops – of Merauke Archdiocese and Agats, Jayapura, Manokwari-Sorong and Timika dioceses – shared values, virtues and moral guideposts in the letter, read by Sacred Heart Archbishop Nicolaus Adi Seputra of Merauke, for 114 budding activists at the meeting's opening on 13 February. Franciscan Bishop Aloysius Murwito of Agats was also present.

"Human values need to be upheld and revived continuously among young Catholics, especially those preparing to be leaders," the bishops said in the letter, "these values need to be given top priority."

The bishops urged the activists to follow Jesus, who worked with clear vision and mission. Jesus Christ, wrote the bishops, "struggled unto death for the realization of vision and mission ... making himself a servant, even by sacrificing himself unto death on the cross."

The meeting was a good opportunity for young Catholics to review and improve service activities, the bishops added. The Papua church leaders hope the work meeting will be followed by concrete activities, preparing Catholic cadres nationwide.

Marningrot Tua Natalis Situmorang, national board chairman of Pemuda Katolik, told UCA News at the end of the meeting that participants produced a number of programs to be implemented by all chapters nationwide, including consolidation of the organization, development of national membership, and leadership training.

The meeting, he added, also produced a statement of support for the establishment of a South Papua province to be split from Papua province. The proposed province, based on local people's aspirations, would include Asmat, Boven Digoel, Mappi and Merauke districts.

On 15 February, Saifullah Yusuf, State Minister for the Accelerated Development of Disadvantaged Regions, urged Pemuda Katolic's young activists to empower the poor.

The national working meeting was closed with a Holy Mass led by Archbishop Seputra, with Father Johanes Kandam, the archdiocese's vicar general, and Sacred Heart Father Miller Senduk concelebrating.

Established in 1929 in Yogyakarta with the motto Pro ecclesia et patria (for church and country), the Indonesia Catholic youth association gathers and unites Catholic youth, building mature personalities, and responsible, dedicated citizens and church members. The association holds national congresses to elect leaders, and national working meetings to set programs and develop projects.

Increasing child/youth AIDS infection in Merauke

At least 113 young people, under 20 years old, from Merauke regency in Papua province have been infected by HIV/AIDS since they were in wombs of their mothers, officials told Antara newsagency. Head of Merauke's HIV/AIDS Controlling Commission (KPAD) Waryono said 26 of them age up to 4 years, six age between 5 to 9 years and 81 others age between 10 to 19 years.

Meanwhile, the number of reported cases of adults with HIV/AIDS has now reached 639. Waryono, who is also Merauke deputy regent, blames the large number on "permissive sex", Antara reported.

Merauke Bupati 'launches' South Papua province

Papuans must not be sidelined in the possible establishment of an autonomous South Papua province, but should benefit from it as stipulated in the 2001 special autonomy law for Papua, a member of the Papua People's Assembly (MRP) says. "Just like a farmer cultivating his farm, don't let others enjoy the yields from the farm. It's the same as the current issue on the petition to establish an autonomous province in Papua ... don't let it create opportunities only for other people to obtain positions, while Papuans just become spectators in the development process," an MRP member from Merauke regency, Erna Mahuse, said in Merauke on Tuesday.

According to Erna, the MRP can discuss issues related to autonomous provinces in Papua as long as the proposal being considered does not violate the autonomy law. "It is not a taboo to discuss it, so long as it is in accordance with mechanisms of Law No. 21/2001 and benefits Papuans, because the main aim of an autonomous province is to shorten the reins of development," she said.

On Monday in Merauke, Regent John Gluba Gebze announced the formation of a South Papua province in a traditional procession of the Marind tribe, the largest tribe in southern Papua. The event was attended by thousands of people. Gebze marked the occasion by planting a Masi tree along with Boven Digul Vice Regent Mercelino Yamkomdow and Asmat regency legislative council vice speaker Eduardus Kaise.

"The tree symbolizes our spirit to establish the South Papua province," said Marind tribal figure Imbuti Kasimirius Ndiken. Gebze, a Marind tribesman, joined in the Gatzi traditional dance during the event. Gebze told reporters the day before the event that the establishment of the South Papua province was a continuance of a colonial-era plan to form territories in Papua.

The Dutch administration had divided Territory V in four regencies, he said: Merauke, Boven Digul, Asmat and Mappi. "We just have to continue with the plan prepared by the Dutch." The territorial divisions, said Gebze, had based on sociological and anthropological aspects to form an area in which the tribes would live and govern in one cluster under a territorial administration. - Nethy Dharma Somba (JP)

Four regencies demand a South Papua province

Representatives of four regencies in southern Papua province met with the Provincial House of Representatives to demand the establishment of a South Papua province. Some 70 delegates from Merauke, Mappi, Boven Digoel and Asmat regencies, led by Merauke Deputy Regent Maryoto, met with legislators. The delegation was received by the parliament's deputy speakers Komarudin Watubun, Yop Kogoya and Paskalis Kossay.

According to Merauke regency administration official Agustina Basik-Bakis, the idea of an autonomous South Papua has been around since even before Indonesia's independence. She said the creation of the new province would help the region catch up in terms of development, as well as shortening bureaucratic procedures and improving services to residents. The four regencies demanding their own province were previously incorporated under one regency, Merauke. Mappi, Boven Digoel and Asmat were separated from Merauke in a 2002 law on the formation of 14 regencies in Papua province.

Yoseph Mehuze, a spokesman for the group, said the four regencies were acting like "a son" asking his parents' blessing to get married. "We're ready to get married and we ask for the blessing of Papua province, as our parent," he said. Responding, parliamentary Deputy Speaker Komarudin said that if a son is ready to get married, the parents will give their blessing, but at the same time the parents have to ensure it is the correct decision. He said the parliament would set up a special committee to discuss the proposal. The committee's recommendation will then be passed on to the Papuan People's Council. However, he said the parliament is currently deliberating the provincial budget, and any discussion on the creation of the new province would have to wait until the deliberations were completed.

Churches warn Papua of spreading HIV/AIDs virus

Papuan Churches Association (PGGP) have issued a circular warning Papuans of the danger of HIV/AIDS as the number of the cases is significantly high in Indonesia's eastern-most province. "The virus is a great treat to the lives of people in Papua land," said the circular issued on 27 January and signed by a number of church leaders. The Papuan HIV/AIDS Overseeing Committee recorded that there are 3,023 people infected by the incurable virus in last December. With 1,128 cases, Mimika regency is the worst region, followed by Merauke regency with 883 cases and Jayapura regency with 247 cases.