By: Saby Kossay )*
This special autonomy, which was extended in 2021, received positive appreciation from Papuan community leaders. They feel that Otsus volume 1 is successful, therefore Otsus volume 2 will further raise the standard of living of the people on Earth of Cendrawasih. Moreover, the Special Autonomy funds continue to be raised so that it will further modernize Papua.
During the New Order era, Papua, formerly known as Irian Jaya, was somewhat neglected because of the centralization of government. So they are not as advanced as in Java, even though the potential of natural resources is very large. In the reform era, regulations were changed so that there was regional autonomy and Papua moved to catch up. The central government also provides support in the form of special autonomy.
Special autonomy, which began in 2001, provided an opportunity for Papuans to develop their own region. In addition, they received billions of rupiah to make it happen. In 2021 Otsus volume 2 begins and many Papuan community leaders automatically agree to it, because they feel that this program is very good for progress on Earth of Cendrawasih.
Asmat Regent Elisa Kambu and Jayapura Mayor Benhur Tomi Mano appreciated the ratification of the revised UU Otsus Papua. This law revision contains improvements so that Otsus volume 2 runs even better. In a sense, they also appreciate the extension of Otsus because this program is very good for the progress of the people on Earth of Cendrawasih.
The DPR has just passed the revised Special Autonomy Bill into a law and its contents include, among other things, the education and health budget provided by the central government and the provincial government, so that Papuan children will be smarter because they get scholarships, even up to university. They are also far from disease because they have easier access to health because many Puskesmas have been built.
In addition, in this revision it is stated that if there are economic efforts, the priority is for OAP (indigenous Papuans). So that OAP will be more empowered and get a higher chance to progress and be financially healthy.
Elisa Kambu added that the increase in Special Autonomy funds is expected to improve the welfare of the Papuan people. Moreover, the Special Autonomy Fund is currently 2.5% of the national general allocation fund (DAU) and previously only 2% of the DAU. In a sense, if the budget increases, the Special Autonomy projects will run more smoothly.
Appreciation must be given to the extension of Otsus, because this program would be a shame if it just stopped. If there is a project that has not been completed but the budget is not available because Otsus is stopped, it will be stuck and in vain. Therefore, all people, both officials and the people, support the extension of Otsus because it is very beneficial for all residents on Earth of Cendrawasih.
In addition, if Otsus is stopped, there will be no scholarships for Papuan children. Even though scholarships are very meritorious so that they can continue their education up to college. An example of a successful national figure thanks to the Special Autonomy scholarship is Billy Mambrasar, who is currently President Jokowi’s Special Staff.
Therefore, it is appropriate that Otsus be extended because this program has proven to be very useful for all Papuans. Thanks to the Special Autonomy funds, there are magnificent infrastructures in Bumi Cendrawasih such as the Youtefa Bridge, Sentani International Airport, and the Trans Papua Road. Otsus also provides assistance funds for mothers for additional business capital.
The extension of Otsus was highly approved by many people in Papua because this program has proven to be prosperous for the community. If the mobility of citizens is facilitated thanks to the Trans Papua Road, then business and other matters will also run smoothly. They also save money because they don’t need to travel by air, the tickets are very expensive, because they can go through the Trans Papua road.
)* The author is a Papuan student living in Yogyakarta