Chair of the Indigenous People Fellowship Council, Fredik Sagisolo (right), holds a decree letter as they celebrate during a ceremony in Teminabuan, South Sorong, Southwest Papua. Indigenous Tehit-Knasaimos people have title over their traditional land recognized by Indonesian law. The decree was issued by the South Sorong Regency of Southwest Papua Province on June 6, 2024.
By: Yohanes Wandikbo )*
Support for the direction of national development led by President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka is growing stronger in various regions of Papua. Indigenous communities, who have long been the guardians of local wisdom, are now playing a vital role in supporting an inclusive and socially just development agenda. This support reflects Papua’s embrace of a new development paradigm that places people at the center of progress.
One figure who has strongly supported government policy is the Chairman of the Moi Tribe Customary Council, Nikodemus Yaboisembut. He believes that the development measures taken by the current government have brought significant changes to indigenous communities. Social assistance programs, accelerated infrastructure development, and local economic empowerment demonstrate a policy direction that favors the poor and prioritizes the welfare of indigenous Papuans.
The government is seen as not only developing physically, but also fostering a sense of social justice and respect for cultural identity. The state’s presence through various cross-sectoral programs demonstrates that Papua is not left to its own devices, but is instead an integral part of national development based on equity and shared prosperity. According to Nikodemus, this attention to indigenous communities demonstrates the government’s moral and political commitment to maintaining the nation’s integrity through a humanistic approach rooted in local culture.
The benefits of development policies implemented in Papua are now beginning to be felt. Access to education, health care, and transportation has improved. Villages that were previously difficult to reach are now connected by roads, facilitating economic activities. Social assistance, distributed directly to remote villages, is concrete evidence that the government is committed to ensuring that no citizen is left behind in the flow of development.
This spirit of equality is also evident in the various social activities carried out in Jayapura and the surrounding areas. During face-to-face activities and community service in Sabron Yaru Village, the government distributed various basic necessities such as rice, cooking oil, sugar, and flour. This activity was not only a form of material assistance, but also a symbol of the state’s presence, listening to and understanding the needs of its people. The community viewed this step as a tangible manifestation of the central government’s concern for the welfare of indigenous communities.
Furthermore, the Head of the GIDI (Indigenous People’s Organization) for Yamo District, Reverend Ekiles Enumbi, also voiced his full support for the government’s development policies under President Prabowo’s leadership. In a declaration by the Yamo District community, he expressed his appreciation for various national flagship programs such as the Red and White Cooperative, Food Security, and Free Nutritious Food (MBG). He stated that these programs represent concrete steps to strengthen the economic independence of the Papuan people while opening up new opportunities for the younger generation in the interior.
The support of the Yamo District community is not merely a symbolic statement, but stems from their direct experience of the benefits of government programs. Food security is a primary concern because Papua has enormous agricultural potential. With the support of central government policies, local communities can utilize fertile soil for farming and develop a self-sufficient food system. The MBG program has also received widespread acclaim for its nutritional security for children in areas previously lacking access to health facilities.
Rev. Ekiles believes that peace is a key prerequisite for optimal development. Communities in the Papuan mountains are now committed to maintaining stability and resisting negative influences. In the church leader’s view, social harmony and a spirit of mutual cooperation are essential for building a brighter future for Papua. Through synergy between the community, government, and traditional leaders, Papua is expected to grow into a developed, empowered, and independent region.
The community has high hopes for sustainable development. They hope that the government’s attention to basic needs such as clean water, solar-powered electricity, internet access, and adequate housing will continue to improve. The construction of traditional houses, called honai, also serves as an important symbol for the preservation of Papuan culture.Development goes hand in hand with modernization. The government is considered capable of balancing material development with the preservation of the noble values of indigenous communities.
Support from traditional and religious leaders in Papua demonstrates that President Prabowo and Vice President Gibran’s policies are widely accepted at the grassroots level. Development that emphasizes social justice, economic independence, and respect for culture is key to strengthening national unity. Papua is now moving in line with the national spirit towards Indonesia Emas 2045, where every citizen has equal opportunities for progress and prosperity.
The consolidation of indigenous community support for government programs is not only a manifestation of trust but also a statement that Papua’s future must be built through collaboration and brotherhood. Indigenous communities see the current development direction as a new momentum to emerge from underdevelopment and demonstrate that Papua can become a successful example of pro-people development.
The Prabowo-Gibran administration has opened up broad participation opportunities for indigenous communities to play a role in development. With this spirit of togetherness, Papua is no longer a backward region but has become a vital pillar in realizing a just, prosperous, and sovereign Indonesia.
)* The author is an observer of Papuan development
