PAPUA – Development in Papua continues to show positive progress through various National Strategic Projects (PSN) implemented by the government across various sectors. Amidst this accelerated development, community leaders in Eastern Indonesia have urged the public not to fall prey to one-sided narratives that could reinforce the negative stigma against Papua, including through the documentary “Pesta Babi.”
The Chairman of the Eastern Indonesia Alliance, Emanuel Mikael Kota, believes that Papua is currently moving towards positive change through strengthening the community’s economy, education, and more equitable regional development. Therefore, he believes that depicting Papua solely from the perspective of conflict does not reflect the overall situation.
“If the narrative only highlights various social problems and challenges, the outside public will certainly see Papua as incomplete. Yet, today, Papuans are striving to maintain peace, develop village economies, improve children’s education, and strengthen traditional life,” said Emanuel Mikael Kota.
He believes that documentary films cannot be the sole reference for understanding the dynamics of Papua, which faces complex social, cultural, and development issues. He believes that the public also needs to see the various progress being made in various regions in Papua.
“Documentary films must be viewed critically and proportionally. The public should not be led to a particular opinion without providing the complete context. Papua is not just a story of conflict. There is much progress, space for dialogue, infrastructure development, health services, and the peaceful lives of indigenous communities that must also be highlighted,” explained Emanuel Mikael Kota.
Meanwhile, the government continues to strengthen development through the National Strategic Project (PSN), which focuses on improving community welfare. One program of particular concern is the development of an agricultural area in Tulem Village, Witawaya District, Jayawijaya Regency, Papua Highlands.
The program involves clearing approximately 800 hectares of agricultural land to strengthen food security and open up new economic opportunities for the local community. The Papua Highlands Provincial Government believes the area has great potential to be developed as a food production center.
The Deputy Governor of the Papua Highlands, Ones Pahabol, stated that the Tulem region has a strategic location due to its location at the center of community activity in Wamena, making it suitable for developing a sustainable agricultural sector.
“The Tulem region has great potential because it is at the center of Wamena’s activities and can become a food development area to support the needs of the Papua Highlands community,” said Ones Pahabol.
In addition to the agricultural sector, construction of the 50.14-kilometer Trans Papua Road, the Jayapura-Wamena section of the Mamberamo-Elelim segment, is also underway to strengthen inter-regional connectivity in Papua. This infrastructure is expected to streamline logistics distribution and open up economic access for communities in remote areas.
Acting Director of HMTP, Kun Hartawan, stated that road construction also has a direct economic impact through the involvement of local labor in the project process.
“The involvement of the Papuan community in this road construction is an important part of driving sustainable regional economic growth,” said Kun Hartawan.
According to Emanuel, the people of Eastern Indonesia currently need social stability and space for development more than polemics that could potentially divide unity. He hopes all parties will be more prudent in raising the issue of Papua to avoid reinforcing negative stigma at the national and international levels.
“We Easterners maintain peace in our own land. Therefore, we hope that no one will create new chaos through unconstructive comments. Papua needs solutions and unity, not a war of opinions,” Emanuel Mikael Kota emphasized.
“Don’t make Papua a stage for a narrative of conflict that is constantly repeated. What the people need today is a sense of security, development, and a better future,” Emanuel Mikael Kota concluded.