By: Edward Krey) *
The proposal from Papuan leaders related to the division of the Province in Papua, seems to get the green light from President Joko Widodo. That is because the existing laws indicate that Papua and West Papua must have 4 Provinces.
The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto said that laws or regulations allow Papua to have 4 provinces.
That is, the desire of the people of Papua to increase the number of Provinces from now in existence, namely the Provinces of Papua and West Papua. Previously, President Jokowi had approved the division in Papua and West Papua. This was conveyed by Jokowi when he received 61 Papuan leaders at the State Palace.
During the meeting, initially the Papuan leaders present asked for the division of 5 regions in Papua and West Papua. The former Surakarta Mayor agreed with the proposal, but he still agreed to 2 or 3 regions. According to him, there needs to be an in-depth study behind the region’s expansion plan. While in terms of regulations there are already laws that govern them.
The plan for pemekaran in Papua was also agreed upon by Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives Commission IV Mardani Ali Sera. He said that currently the ball about the division of the Provinces of Papua and West Papua was in the hands of the Government. For this reason, Mardani urged the central government to immediately review and make reference to the DOB Bill (New Autonomous Region).
According to him, If the Moratorium on regional expansion could get a special exception for Papua. The DPR is also ready to discuss it with the government. He also believes that the division will make public services more improved and welfare more quickly achieved in Papua.
Meanwhile Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) Tjahjo Kumolo ensured that the proposed expansion of several regencies in Papua and West Papua would not be hampered by the moratorium policy on the expansion of new autonomous regions. Please note, the government has conducted a moratorium on the expansion of new autonomous regions since 2014. The Ministry of Home Affairs noted that there are 315 regions that have proposed expansion until August 2019.
Tjahjo gave an explanation of the division that had been regulated in article 115 of law number 22 of 1999 concerning Regional Government. The leaders’ request only asks for that right. He conveyed that the Ministry of Home Affairs would immediately study it related to the planned expansion of 5 districts in the two easternmost provinces of Indonesia.
PKB politician Abdul Kadir Karding said he agreed if the government wanted to expand in Papua and West Papua. Through the regional expansion approach, Karding assessed that issues in Papua would be resolved soon. Because through pemekaran, it will be easier for the central government to develop and develop provinces in Bumi Cenderawasih.
He also believes, if the division occurs, the government will be able to focus more on developing and prospering the people of Papua. That is because the scope becomes more limited and not too broad as it is today. Therefore, the DPR RI member from the PKB Faction believes that if the Earth Cenderawasih is divided into new provinces, there will be an acceleration of development in all fields in Papua. This of course will be able to improve welfare.
Regarding how many provinces will be divided, he entrusted the Ministry of Home Affairs and Bappenas and related institutions to determine it. Because in-depth study of the matter must be the Ministry and the Institution concerned have it. When the regional expansion is realized, the impact is very much received by the community. Among the availability of employment, equitable distribution of development faster and shorten the range of control of government services to the community.
In addition, if the division of Papua is realized, young people in Papua will have a great opportunity to get the opportunity to enjoy equitable development and the opening of new jobs. In addition to approving the proposal for pemekaran, Jokowi also accommodates other aspirations such as the construction of a state palace in Papua, and plans to begin construction next year.
The dialogue effort between the President and the Papuan People is certainly needed, so that the government and the Papuan people can establish close relations to find out the problems that exist in Cenderawasih Earth in more detail, and there will certainly be an effort to resolve the issue.
) * The writer is a Papuan student, living in Jakarta