Indonesia's House of Representatives has passed a bill that is expected to reshape the future administration of West Papua.
The Revision of the Special Autonomy Law for the provinces of Papua and West Papua was ratified by Indonesian lawmakers despite widespread opposition by Papuans who have been calling instead for an independence referendum.
Jayapura Harbour, Papua province, Indonesia
Photo: RNZI/Johnny Blades
The revised version of autonomy provisions first introduced twenty years ago paves the way for further division of Papua region into more administrative areas.
It includes provision for the formation of new representative institutions at regency and municipal level, replacing the Regional Legislative Councils.