31 Jul 2014

Jokowi must make good on Papua promise, says activist

7:38 pm on 31 July 2014

Indonesia's President-elect Joko Widodo, known as Jokowi, has been urged to make good on a promise to allow Papua region to be opened up to foreign media.

Outside access to Papua and West Papua provinces remains restricted for foreign journalists as well as international humanitarian agencies and NGOs.

However, observers have noted expectations of a less authoritarian approach to Papua region's festering separatist issues under a Jokowi-led government.

The West Papuan activist Paula Makabori says it's also expected that Jokowi will open up outside access.

"As he promised during his Presidential election campaign in West Papua, he will let West Papua will be open for everyone to come. So I think for him to keep his promise to all international journalists who can come and see for themselves for themselves, the beautiful land, the beautiful people... who are crying for self-determination."

Paula Makabori