Papua belongs to the legitimate Republic of Indonesia

Papua belongs to the legitimate Republic of Indonesia

The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD said there was no way for the Provinces of Papua and West Papua to separate themselves from the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. Papua Province is a legal part of the Republic of Indonesia.

Every effort to separate the two provinces must be considered as a resistance to the legitimate government. Mahfud said, there are two legal grounds that confirm this view. First, the Indonesian constitution which states that Papua is a legal part of the Republic of Indonesia.

"There is no alternative for Papua or for anyone to determine their own destiny with a referendum in the name of international law," he said.

The second legal basis, the resolution of the United Nations Number 2504 of 1969 concerning acceptance of the Papuan People's Opinion Determination. "Already Papua is legally part of the Republic of Indonesia."

Mahfud added, in addition, every country that has sovereignty over one region may take all steps to maintain its sovereignty over that region and region. "With all the power it has," he said.