By: Sabby Kossay) *
The expansion of Papua has the support of the community. The expansion is believed to be able to accelerate services to citizens and cut the span of the bureaucracy.
The Deputy Governor of Papua Province approved the division of the Central Papua Province with the aim of providing welfare and progress for its people.
Regional expansion is not something new and without foundation. In addition to providing welfare for its people, the government also hopes that a region can progress and can be managed as a whole as an inseparable part of Indonesia.
Regional expansion is not a unilateral decision without approval, but before the declaration as a whole it has been agreed and decided simultaneously with various parties accompanied by the surrounding community.
Pemekaran is not something that is based or formed due to the interests of a certain group. Rather, expansion is aimed at the common interest for the welfare of the surrounding community so that it is easier to manage and all its problems exist in an area or region.
The community is very enthusiastic about the expansion of the Papua Province. This is also supported by the existence of a government program called “For Papua”. This program is aimed at the Papuan people to facilitate communication between the Papuan people and the Government.
As written evidence, the agreement for the expansion of Papua Province has been signed by the Regent of Puncak Willem Wandik, Regent of Mimika Eltinus Omaleng, Deputy Regent of Intan Jaya Yan Kobogayau, Deputy Regent Pelinus Balinal, Chairman of DPRD Puncak Likius Newegalen, Chairman of DPRD Mimika Robby K Omaleng, traditional leaders, women leaders, community leaders, traditional institutions and youth leaders in the Meepago customary area.
The collective agreement includes:
First, to support the entire province of Central Papua as stated in Law Number 45 of 1999 which discusses the formation of the Province of Central Irian Jaya, Mimika Regency, West Irian Jaya, Paniai Regency, Sorong City and Puncak Jaya Regency.
Second, agreeing on the capital of Central Papua Province to be based in Timika. This is stated in article 14 paragraph one of Law number 45 of 1999 which states the formation of Central Irian Jaya Province, Mimika Regency, West Irian Jaya, Paniai Regency, Sorong City and Puncak Jaya Regency.
Third, the Chairman of the DPRD, Regents, Youth Leaders, Traditional Institutions, traditional leaders, community leaders and other intellectual figures have agreed and supported overall that the Meepago Customary Area is part of the province of Central Papua. Thus, Central Papua Province consists of Dogiyai Regency, Intan Jaya Regency, Mimika Regency, Puncak Regency, Nabire Regency, Deyai Regency and Paniai Regency.
This negative rumor about the expansion of the province of Central Papua has been overcome by the government with the For Papua program. This program is intended so that the community can communicate differences of opinion and can get closer to something that is not yet clear, such as the issue of government.
One Papuan said that the expansion of this area could enable Papuan scholars to reduce unemployment in the region and improve the economy, health services and also the quality of education.
This expansion is very important. With the expansion, of course there will be improvements. The creation of power like little kings will certainly increase corruption and abuse of power more.
Rumors of the lust of politicians for the expansion of Papua are not true. Of course, all policies will be decided and mutually agreed upon. As a nation, Indonesia certainly understands the nature of deliberation. Not dominating an area for the political elite.
Even though there are pros and cons, more people are enthusiastic about agreeing to the expansion of Papua Province, especially Central Papua. Because, the community realizes that the expansion will certainly make their living areas more prosperous, such as improving health services, improving the quality of education and improving the community’s economy.
The division has been agreed upon by the people around Papua Province and has been declared by the Regent of Puncak Willem Wandik, Regent Mimika Eltinus Omaleng, Deputy Regent of Intan Jaya Yan Kobogayau, Deputy Regent Pelinus Balinal, Chairman of DPRD Puncak Likius Newegalen, Chairman of DPRD Mimika Robby K Omaleng, traditional leaders , women leaders, community leaders, customary institutions and youth leaders in the Meepago customary area as evidenced by the existence of a written signature.
) * The author is a Papuan student living in Yogyakarta