Confusion over Irian Jaya name

The Indonesian province of Irian Jaya has been given new rights of autonomy including a name change - but officials are uncertain about when to start using the new name.

The law entered into force on 1 January, officially changing the name of the province to the locally-preferred name of Papua.

We're still using the name Irian Jaya until we're informed otherwise

Police spokesman Janner Pasaribu

But local officials on Wednesday said they were not sure the law had taken effect.

President Megawati Sukarnoputri was due hand over power during a symbolic visit on 22 December, but the trip was cancelled and no new date has been set.

The government hopes the new law will help end nearly 40 years of separatist fighting in the province, which lies on the western half of New Guinea island.

Interpretation of the law

Officials say they will wait until Papua's new status has been confirmed.

"In a de jure sense, they are now in effect," public affairs officer Johannes Yaban told AFP news agency. "But in a de facto sense, not yet, because we are still waiting for President Megawati to hand over the law."

Separatist groups want independence

The official said the name change to Papua did officially apply, but it had not yet been "socialised" - meaning there had been no public awareness campaign.

"In meetings and dialogues we're using the term Papua but in formal letters, not yet," he said.

The provincial police were still calling themselves Irian Jaya police on Wednesday.

"I don't know yet whether autonomy has taken effect," said police spokesman Janner Pasaribu. "We're still using the name Irian Jaya until we're informed otherwise."

The changes

Under the measures, the province takes much greater control of its own affairs - excluding only defence, foreign affairs, monetary affairs, the police and the courts.

Papua facts

Indonesia's largest province

Population 2.4m

Most people below poverty level

High infant mortality rate

Local police and armed forces will report to the province governor as well as to the central government in Jakarta.

As well as the name change, Jakarta has also bowed to demands for the provincial flag to fly alongside, though lower than, the Indonesian national flag.

The key concession, as far as Jakarta is concerned, is that the Papuan provincial government will be allowed to retain 70% of revenue from oil and gas production and 80% from other mineral and forestry activity.

Given the province's enormous mineral and forestry reserves, this concession will be worth hundreds of millions of dollars annually.

But many Papuans have rejected what is being offered, demanding full independence.

President Megawati has ruled that out and hopes her autonomy package will be enough for people.