Markus Makur ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Mimika   |  Tue, 09/08/2009 3:16 PM  |  National

Coordinating Minister for the People’s Welfare Aburizal Bakrie handed over on Tuesday government housing assistance to former members of the separatist Free Papua Organization (OPM) in Bintang Mountain and Lanny Jaya regencies.

The handover ceremony took place during Aburizal’s visit to the Papuan regency of Mimika, home to US-based gold mining company PT Freeport Indonesia . Aburizal will also tour Paniai regency during his Papuan outing.

The former rebels turned themselves in to the military recently, while other OPM fighters intensified attacks against security forces in Puncak Jaya and Central Mamberamo regencies.

Aburizal, the frontrunner in the race to be Golkar Party chairman, is scheduled to meet with local party leaders later in the day to draw their support for his bid. Golkar’s Papua office has officially announced its support for Aburizal, but 29 regency-level branches are backing main rival and media magnate Surya Paloh.