As one of the biggest islands in Indonesia, Papua is divided into several provinces. Over the years, those provinces have evolved for the people since Indonesia gained independence. We used to call it Irian Jaya or Irian Barat in the old Papua. Nowadays, we must certainly gain some knowledge regarding these districts more clearly.
Papua is a large island with different cultures and ethnicities. We can trace the history of the name back from decades ago until now. To know more about those changes here is some information that could be useful.
Old Papua in the Early Days of Indonesian Independent
On December 27th, 1949, Papua was established, starting with the KMB or the Round Table Conference. The Netherlands, still at war with one another, ceded this territory to the Indonesian government during this conference.
The Netherlands eventually consented to some discussion after they brought this issue up in the UN or UN forum. The agreement is to give West Irian to the United Nations Temporary Executive Authority.
The insisting act of the Netherlands was because the Papuan have differences in terms of ethnic and racial issues. This matter brought the Netherlands into issuing this region as its Kingdom of Netherlands.
August 15th, 1963, the Netherlands agreed to give control over the region to the UNTEA. The issue led to the formation of this organization. The Netherlands agreed on whether Indonesia would carry out the People’s opinion. Then the Pepera of People Opinion Determination was held.
The Pepera, or the general election, was held from July 14th to August 2nd in 1969.
The Papuan, in this general election, will choose whether or not they are going to be part of Indonesia or not. Then, on 1962 December 31st, the region officially became part of Indonesia.
The Papua region’s issue became clearer after the act of free choice referendum in 1969, also known as the Act of Free Choice. The result of this referendum is that around 1,025 people in Papua have chosen to be part of Indonesia.
They then brought up these results to the United Nations General Assembly for the acceptance process. After that, this region changed its name from West Irian to Irian Jaya. Then, in 2001, Irian Jaya changed again to Papua Province. The name was changed again in 2004 into two provinces: Papua and West Irian Jaya or West Papua.
Papua on 2022
On June 30th, 2022, the government made 3 new provinces in Papua. Those are Papua Selatan Province, Tengah, and Pegunungan Province.
These three provinces are part of the new regulations for the Papuan people. These new regulations are made to ensure the social and economic rights of the people. Therefore, They could do fairness as part of the Indonesian people properly.
The new Papua has also assigned its capital. For Papua Selatan Province, it is Merauke Regency. With Boven Digoel, Mappi, and Asmat as part of the district. For Papua Tengah, it is Nabire Regency, with Paniai, Mimika, Puncak Jaya, Puncak, Dogiyai, and Intan Jaya and Deiyai as part of their province area.
Also Jayawijaya Regency for Pegunungan Province, with Pegunungan Bintang, Yahukimo, Tolikara, Mamberamo Tengah, Yalimo, Lani Jaya, dan Nduga.
Wrapping Up
It is important to preserve Papua’s history up to this point thoroughly. These name changes are not just something that we can ignore. These changes are part of their identity as people. Not only just the matter of identity, but these are also part of their culture that need to be nurtured and remembered.
