After President Jokowi visited Papua in early July 2023, it is now the turn of Vice President Ma’ruf Amin to have an office in Papua. The visit of the two state figures needs to be appreciated as proof that Papua is a safe area and that all national programs can continue.
Vice President Ma’ruf Amin will start his work agenda for a week in Papua and start working since Tuesday (11/7). The Vice President is planned to visit the provinces of Central Papua, West Papua and Southwest Papua. The Vice President is also scheduled to attend the BPJS Employment submission agenda for Vulnerable Workers of Indigenous People of Papua (OAP), as well as review Classes and Interactions with OAP Students at the Nemangkawi Mining Institute.
Previously, President Jokowi had visited Papua in early July 2023. He felt safe and gave a message that so far the Earth of Cendrawasih had been very conducive. Security is possible thanks to the hard work of the TNI and Polri who work hard to make it happen. When Papua is safe, development will run more smoothly, and it will be the people who benefit.
On 7 July 2023 President Jokowi visited Papua to inaugurate the Papua Street Carnival. President Jokowi stated that all parties must see Papua from a positive side. The President also emphasized that there is no need to exaggerate small problems in Papua and must always see the positives. Young people who are in the creative industry, these creative young people must be seen positively. Don’t look at the negative side.
President Jokowi added that in general, 99 percent is not a problem. Do not exaggerate small problems. Everything is in place, anywhere in Papua, it’s safe. The implementation of a number of activities while he was in Papua took place safely.
For example, during the Papua Street Carnival it can be carried out smoothly. When the group had dinner at the restaurant, there were no security issues. He advised not to exaggerate negative things because it would be detrimental to Papua itself.
In a sense, currently Papua is truly safe and has been directly proven by President Jokowi. When he made visits to several places in Papua, there were no attacks at all from any separatist groups. This shows that Papua is very safe from KST and they are only a handful of people who want independence, but are far behind the TNI and Polri troops.
When President Jokowi proves that Papua is safe, it will give a positive image to the Earth of Cendrawasih, and this is very good because it has an impact on the tourism sector. Local and foreign tourists will vacation in Raja Ampat and other tourist spots in Papua, because they are sure of its safety. They are interested because apart from wanting to see the exotic nature of Papua, they also feel safe because the infrastructure is modern, making travel easier.
Security in Papua has been realized thanks to the hard work of the TNI and Polri troops as well as the State Intelligence Agency (BIN). Until now, the Carstensz Damai Task Force is still on standby to patrol and secure all areas of Papua, as well as preventing KST attacks. They also chased and searched the KST headquarters so that the separatist group was quickly disbanded.
Arresting KST is a mandatory agenda for security forces in Papua, because they hinder development. Officials stand guard for the safety of the people and workers, so that the infrastructure development process is on time.
Chief of the Presidential Staff Office, Moeldoko stated that President Jokowi was very serious in advancing Papua. He also holds the record for being the head of state who has visited the Cendrawasih Land the most, and the Papuan people love President Jokowi even more.
Papua will always progress because President Jokowi is serious about making it happen. This is done by extending special autonomy, so that the special autonomy funds can be used to build infrastructure in Papua. What has been realized is the Trans Papua road which is more than 4,000 KM long and has really helped the community to make their mobility smoother.
When there is progress in infrastructure it will benefit the Papuan people themselves, because it will advance them. In addition to facilitating mobility, the prices of basic commodities can go down. Because previously rice, sago, etc. had to be transported by air, because the road was still steep and there were lots of rocks and trees. The cost of transportation is high because the price of avtur is also expensive.
However, now there are smooth roads, so that groceries can be transported via land, and this will automatically reduce transportation costs, so that the community will benefit from this. President Jokowi is forward-thinking and wants to build Papua from its infrastructure, because it will be useful for decades to come.
Progress in Papua is aimed at the people, so that there is no inequality between western and eastern Indonesia. The president wants all regions of Indonesia to progress, and implement the precepts of social justice for all Indonesian people. So that people are happy because they feel cared for by the president.
When President Jokowi visited Papua, he proved that it was safe there from KST attacks and other separatist groups. Security in Papua has been realized thanks to the hard work of the TNI and Polri troops. When the situation is safe, it has a positive effect on the tourism sector because it will increase visits by local and foreign tourists. Apart from that, Papua’s conduciveness will make development run smoothly.