The Age, 03 March 2003

Papua culture is not at risk

        The statement by John Rumbiak that "Papuan culture will cease to exist within 10 to 20 years" (The Age, 27/2) is grossly misleading. In fact, the Indonesian Government is very proud of the nation's great variety of cultures, and is committed to maintaining and preserving the rich diversity of cultures, traditions, and ethnicity over all of Indonesia-including in Papua. The special autonomy arrangements extended by the Government to Papua Province in 2001 specifically addresses the ongoing preservation of Papua culture.

        Mr. Rumbiak further claims that the local culture is threatened by the program of transmigration, under which people have come to the province from other parts of Indonesia. This is also taken out of context. The Government's transmigration program was designed specifically to help the locals through knowledge transfer, for example-to improve the potential of their province, in operation with neighbouring urban and rural communities.

Trini G. Sualang
Head of Information Section
Indonesian Embassy
Canberra

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Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, Canberra - Australia