JAKARTA  Indonesia inaugurated a new autonomous region, in the country’s easternmost island of Papua yesterday, bringing the country to a total of 38 provinces.

The new Southwest Papua is previously part of the West Papua province.

“Creation of the new province is to optimise public services and improve people’s welfare,” Home Affairs Minister, Tito Karnavian, said, at the inauguration ceremony in Jakarta.

He appointed an acting governor to form a local government structure, maintaining political stability and security in Southwest Papua.

Source: Nam News Network