By: Rebecca Marian )*
The people of Papua welcomed the special autonomy volume 2. Starting from the civilians to regional heads support the continuation of the special autonomy, because it can bring progress to the land of paradise. Papua is no longer marginalized, because the government always pays attention to it. Especially since President Joko Widodo’s leadership.
In 2021 there will be an extension of special autonomy. If in the first special autonomy, in 2001, it was governed by former President Megawati, now it is followed by President Jokowi. Within 20 years it has been proven that there is progress in the Papua region. Many facilities were built, scholarships were provided, and regulations that promote the area there were enforced.
In special autonomy, Papuans are given special rights to regulate their area and a governor or mayor must come from the land of paradise. In addition, the leaders were given billions of money to build Papua. So the area is no longer considered to be lagging behind modernity and there are only virgin forests.
The people of Papua, especially the regional heads, look forward to special autonomy volume 2. They want the land of paradise to be more advanced and continue development there. Of course with funds from the government via special autonomy. Otsus also brings goodness to Papuans because they can get education up to the highest level.
So far, the policy in special autonomy has been good enough, but it can be evaluated. The regional heads in Saireri and Tanah Tabi, Papua, support Special Autonomy Volume 2 with this requirement. according to the Chairperson of the Tabi Regional Heads Forum and Saireri Mathius Awoitauw, the implementation of special autonomy must be evaluated and continued. Of course, so that there are developments in the implementation of Otsus.
Mathius continued, there must be mutual agreement and provisions from all elements of society. Otsus is also expected to be part of a special service for indigenous Papuans. The leaders of the area gathered to find a solution. So that the special autonomy program volume 2 can be carried out in accordance with community expectations. So the previous otsus was corrected first.
Evaluation is needed so that the special autonomy funds are really absorbed by the community. Do not let any money enter but there is no change in the welfare of the Papuan people. Or even the money was corrupted by unscrupulous people, so that the special autonomy program failed to be implemented in the region.
It is hoped that the central government can accept the aspirations of the indigenous Papuan people. The DPRD Papua is ready to distribute the results of the meeting from the regional head, so that the President understands what is really needed for progress there. So there is no misunderstanding between the central and local governments.
In special autonomy, it is hoped that not only physical developments such as bridges, buildings and ports will be encouraged. However, it is hoped that there will be an increase in the quality of human resources in Papua. So the Papuan people can process their own natural products and advance their region, because they have skills, intelligence, and knowledge as basic assets.
The main improvement in the quality of human resources is through education. So if a school building is built, there must also be competent teachers. Don’t let an elementary school only be taught by teachers with only high school education, at least it must be a diploma 2 and if possible S1. Papuan children are given another scholarship so that they can study and serve in their area.
The scholarships that have been given to Papuan children are good enough and they can study all the way to Java. However, native Papuans must also be willing when they are called back to Paradise to advance their region. Remember that they can study from the special autonomy funds provided by the government, so it’s best to return the favor.
Otsus volume 2 was welcomed by the Papuan people and their regional leaders. Special autonomy is considered to be able to advance Papua through development in all fields. So it is hoped that all Papuans, both those on Earth of Paradise and in other areas, will support the special autonomy program.
)* The author is a Papuan student living in Jakarta