Otsus, which will be extended in 2021, is strongly supported by all elements of society on Earth of Cendrawasih. The regional heads also agreed if this program was to be continued, because it was proven to bring progress. In the special autonomy regulations, Papuan sons become leaders in their own land and want to bring modernity to the Earth of Cendrawasih.
Papua is the easternmost region in Indonesia and currently a lot of infrastructure has been built there. Starting from the Trans Papua Road to a sturdy bridge, making Bumi Cendrawasih more advanced in transportation and economy. All of this infrastructure is the result of special autonomy volume 1 which began in 2001.
Otsus is valid for 20 years and starting in 2021 there will be an extension. The Governor of Papua, Lukas Enembe, stated that he agreed with the Special Autonomy Volume 2. Because the special autonomy funds had already built hospitals and other health facilities. Special autonomy funds are also given to Papuan sons who want to study, even to universities abroad.
Lukas Enembe has also received an evaluation of the special autonomy program volume 1 made by the academic community of the University of Cendrawasih. Then research it and make various evaluations so that volume 2 of Otsus is successful. After that, it will be submitted to the central government, as input for the future.
Meanwhile, the Governor of West Papua Dominggus Mandacan also supports otsus volume 2. According to him, currently many Papuan children receive higher education thanks to the special autonomy scholarship. In the infrastructure and health sectors there are also very good developments. He also invited all parties to support Special Autonomy volume 2, for the betterment of Papua.
All Papuan people also agree with the extension of the special autonomy system, in accordance with the instructions of the Governor of West Papua. Apart from following the leader, they also feel that special autonomy has brought Papua to modernity. Their life is getting better and transportation is smooth thanks to the Trans Papua Road, so they don’t have to cross the forest just to go to another village.
Even though this program is considered successful, it is still obliged to evaluate and provide the results to the Central Government.
Inputs from regional heads included the special autonomy fund. It is hoped that the amount of the special autonomy budget will be increased, because there is annual inflation. So that the provision of special autonomy funds can be evenly distributed and there is progress in the Papua region, down to small villages.
Article 76 of the Special Autonomy Law also mentions the division of the province. After previously there were Papua and West Papua Provinces, currently it is being drafted whether there are other provinces that follow the customary territory zone. Like Animha, Meepago, Tabi, Lapago, and Saireri.
So that the government will be more orderly and in accordance with the culture in Papua.
This expansion must also be implemented in accordance with the readiness of human resources, social and cultural unity of the community, readiness of economic resources, and regional development.
This is stated in Article 76 of the Special Autonomy Law. If there is a new province, then according to the special autonomy regulations, the position of Governor must be held by indigenous Papuans.
The special autonomy extension is strongly supported by the leaders in Papua because it has been proven to bring progress in the Cendrawasih Earth. In addition to infrastructure development such as bridges, hospitals, and roads, the special autonomy fund also brings benefits in the field of education by providing scholarships from elementary to tertiary education levels.
The Papuan people in Bumi Cendrawasih and other areas have also followed the governor’s instructions to approve the extension of special autonomy in 2021. They hope there will be more progress there. Special autonomy evaluation is also needed, so that this program can run more smoothly.