By : Noldy Brachman )*
Currently, there are 4 new provinces in Papua which are the result of regional expansion, namely the Provinces of Southwest Papua, Central Papua, Highlands Papua and South Papua. The government also explained that the division or formation of the New Autonomous Region (DOB) was a way to accelerate the service and development of Papua.
The government is developing Papua so that there is equity throughout Indonesia. From Sabang to Merauke there must be justice in development, so that all people feel the same progress. Papua was built using Special Autonomy (Special Autonomy) funds and APBD funds to keep progressing.
In order to make Papua’s development successful, the government has created regional divisions in Papua. With regional expansion, it will facilitate the reach of local government services. The reason is that if there are only 2 provinces (Papua and West Papua), the area is too big, so it is rather difficult to serve the people of Cendrawasih.
However, when there is a new autonomous region, the territory will automatically be smaller, making it easier to administer administration and provide services to the people of Papua. Vice President Ma’ruf Amin stated that the new autonomous regions are meant to bring services closer to the welfare of the people in Papua.
Previously, President Jokowi stated that the division carried out in Papua could speed up services for the community. Pemekaran also accelerates development in Papua. When controlling the community closer, the service should be better. Development will also be faster.
President Jokowi assessed that before the division in Papua it was quite difficult for the community to get services because the distance was quite far. First imagine, the capital city is in Jayapura, which is in Merauke if you want to get services from the province, you come to Jayapura far away.
Thanks to regional expansion, administrative services for the people of Papua will be easier and faster because the distance to the Provincial Government Office is faster. When the area of 1 province is reduced due to regional expansion, there is no loss. However, it is actually profitable because it brings the provincial government closer to the people so that the service is getting better.
President Jokowi stated that the aim of regional expansion (adding to new autonomous regions) is a form of effort to create equitable development, and is expected to facilitate the reach of government services in the Papua region. The land of Papua is too vast if there are only two provinces.
The additional new autonomous regions are aimed at the people of Papua, not for the ambitions of the central government. One of the objectives of adding new autonomous regions is to facilitate services to the community. Service to the people must be prioritized because the real function of government is to serve its people.
The government hopes that regional expansion will distribute various services to all corners of Papua. If there is an even service, then the people will benefit and they will develop their territory with enthusiasm.
For an area the size of Papua (420,500 KM2) it is indeed not enough if there are only 2 provinces. With the existence of 6 provinces, the arrangement will be easier and also closer if people want to take care of important papers to the provincial capital.
When there is a new province, the community can apply for ID cards and other documents to the Dispendukcapil office which is not too far from their settlement. Don’t forget the fact that Papua’s geographical conditions are not 100% smooth because there are still many forests, mountains and hills. Communities in the hills will find it easier to apply for KTPs and other important papers if the provincial capital is closer.
With the provincial capital office close by, there will be administrative control and all community data will be recorded. Administrative control is very important because it is used to provide social assistance or BLT. Moreover, the general election will soon be so that people’s data must be updated for registration of new and old voters.
If there is easy access to management of letters and administration, then at the same time it will eradicate KKN. Because people will tend to take care of their KTP, KK, and other papers themselves, without asking for help from brokers who are generally naughty employees. When a broker doesn’t have a job, he will give up on doing KKN, so that all workers in the service office will always be honest.
The Chairperson of Commission II of the Indonesian Parliament, Ahmad Dolly Kurnia Tanjung, stated that the division of the Papua region would accelerate Papua’s growth and even out development. Papua is a strategic area and division is a solution so that it can develop again. In a sense, in order for development to be more equitable, there must be a new province.
The growth of the Papua region will be faster because when there is a new province, there will automatically be a new administrative area and is entitled to receive APBD funds. More money will be given to Papua because logically, the more provinces, the more APBD will be obtained. The money is useful for the people because it is in the form of infrastructure and other facilities.
It has been proven that regional expansion in Papua is very beneficial for the people of Cendrawasih. Communities can get maximum service so that they can take care of KTP, KK, and other important papers. In this way they will be orderly administration. The provision of assistance from the central government is also more organized because the data collection is neater.
)* The author is a Papuan student living in Bali