Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Papuan province changes name from West Irian Jaya to West Papua

Posted at 02:24 on 07 February, 2007 UTC

The Indonesian province of West Irian Jaya, which was created several years ago as one of several proposed new provinces in the Papua region, has changed its name to West Papua.

The Antara news agency quotes the speaker of the provincial legislative council in Manokwari, Jimianus Ijie, as saying the new name is based on the aspirations of the West Papuan people.

The name is to apply from today but a council plenary session would be held to legalise the new name which the president is then expected to endorse through a government regulation.