By: Alfred Jigibalom ) *
So far, there have been 2 provinces in Papua, namely West Papua and Papua. The plan is to add 5 provinces. Regional expansion is highly supported by the community, because they will be facilitated in administrative matters. There is also an increase in community welfare.
In Bumi Cendrawasih there are 2 provinces, each of which is led by Dominggus Mandacan and Lukas Enembe. If during the New Order era there was only 1 province, then there were 2 provinces that attracted the community. Because development is increasingly focused and can alleviate poverty in Papua.
In 2021 there will be the implementation of special autonomy to divide Papua. Additional provinces are happening again, and it is planned that there will be new provinces. Namely the province of western Papua, the province of the bay of paradise, the province of the north, the central mountains, and south papua.
The expansion of the Papua region is supported by indigenous people on Earth of Cendrawasih. Doren Wakerwa, SH, Papua Regional Secretary, fully supports the addition of provinces in Papua. He will follow in accordance with government regulations. In that sense, the OAP (indigenous Papuans) also agreed to the division of the region, because it had good aims for the community.
Doren continued, the expansion of the region in Papua must of course be in accordance with the existing mechanism. It will also be discussed in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. If there is regional expansion, there must be approval from the DPRD, the Papuan People’s Council, and the Governor of Papua. If everyone agrees, then there will be 5 new provinces on the Earth of Cendrawasih.
The Papuan people agree to the division of Papua, because it will be very beneficial for them. First, it will make it easier for administrative matters. Because the Papua region is very large, it will be difficult if there are only two provinces. When there are seven provinces, people do not have to go all the way to Jayapura or Manokwari, but directly to their respective provincial capitals.
In addition, regional expansion will also promote the region and alleviate poverty. Because there is a new governor who understands the needs of his people, then builds new infrastructure in his area. In that province, international standard hospitals, schools, bridges, even ports or airports will be built. So that it will facilitate mobility, add to public health and education facilities.
That way, children in the regions will be able to go to high school level, because in the province there are already good schools. He does not need to stay overnight and migrate to Jayapura, but studies in his own place. Papuan children will be smarter and no longer synonymous with backwardness.
Saleh Sangadji, one of the indigenous Papuans invited to the hearing with President Jokowi, stated that the division of the South Papua region would bring the people of the region closer to the bureaucracy. Because indigenous Papuans are rarely at the government level. Moreover, the character of the people in the north is much different from that in southern Papua.
In the special autonomy it is stated that the governor and deputy governor in Papua must be held by the indigenous people of Bumi Cendrawasih. So, when there are 7 provinces there, there will be 7 governors who are native Papuan. So that it will make it easier for the community. They will be led by indigenous people, who understand how to build their own area.
The community will feel calm because the leaders are indigenous Papuans. This is not a problem of SARA, but a native Papuan governor will find it easier to approach his people in terms of sociology and psychology. Because they are of the same ethnicity and have the same background, the modernization of Papua will be successful.
The community supports the expansion of the province in Papua, because they will feel the benefits. Especially in terms of bureaucracy. Taking care of paperwork will be made easier because the distance to the provincial capital is getting closer. In addition, development will run smoother because it goes to the respective provincial treasury and is more focused.
) * The author is a citizen living in Semarang