Accelerating development in Papua has become one of the important agendas of the Indonesian government in recent years. Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia (RI) Ma’ruf Amin, in the four months leading up to the end of his term of office, is committed to completing this crucial homework. Accelerating development in Papua is not only a matter of infrastructure, but also touches on aspects of health, education and productivity which are the basis of community welfare.
In this effort, Vice President Ma’ruf Amin chaired the Plenary Meeting of the Steering Committee for the Acceleration of Development of Special Autonomy for Papua (BP3OKP/BPP), which aims to accelerate Papua’s development in order to achieve three main missions: healthy Papua, intelligent Papua, and productive Papua. This institution, which involves ministers and representatives from every province in Papua, seeks to ensure that development in Papua runs in accordance with the Papua Development Master Plan.
One of the concrete steps taken by the government is the disbursement of special autonomy funds (Otsus) amounting to IDR 35 trillion and regional transfer funds worth IDR 68 trillion. It is hoped that this fund can be a real catalyst in realizing various development programs in Papua. However, the biggest challenge lies in implementing these funds effectively and transparently so that the benefits are truly felt by the Papuan people.
The issue of State Civil Service (ASN) management and salary budgeting is one of the main focuses. Efficient ASN assignments and smooth transitions between provinces and the New Autonomous Region (DOB) are important steps to ensure government administration runs smoothly. Apart from that, education issues, such as arrears for the Papuan Superior Students (SUP) scholarship, have also received special attention and have been resolved to ensure the continuity of education for Papua’s young generation.
The central government has also confirmed its readiness to execute development in six provinces in Papua. The change in the development paradigm from a physical focus to increasing human resources, especially in the aspects of education and health, is expected to bring significant changes. Development that is oriented towards improving the quality of life must be carried out without taking away the rights and ecological habitat of indigenous Papuans, and encouraging their independence.
In line with Vice President Ma’ruf Amin, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs John Wempi Wetipo also emphasized that development in Papua, especially in the new autonomous regions (DOB), is a crucial strategic step to encourage the realization of the welfare of the Papuan people.
One of those currently in the process of accelerating development is Central Papua, which is now starting to become physically visible through land clearing and drainage preparation activities, as a form of commitment from the central government, DPR RI and various related parties. This development not only meets government infrastructure needs, but also acts as a symbol of new hope for the Papuan people.
Wempi emphasized the importance of preparing good drainage before infrastructure development begins. This shows attention to technical details that are often overlooked, but have significant long-term impact. If drainage is not properly regulated, more complicated problems may arise in the future, hindering urban development and people’s quality of life.
Apart from physical development, accelerating development in Papua must include strengthening human resource capacity and providing infrastructure that supports people’s daily lives. In this case, building housing for state civil servants (ASN) and other public service facilities must be a priority. This step not only increases government efficiency, but also provides comfort and stability for ASN serving in Central Papua.
Wempi also highlighted the importance of developing government facilities and infrastructure throughout the Papua region to support the Simultaneous Regional Election process on November 27. Adequate infrastructure will ensure that the democratic process runs smoothly and whoever is elected can continue development better. This is important so that every step in development is sustainable and is not stopped by a change of government.
A development approach that is based on the Papuan indigenous people and prioritizes dialogue, not violence, is the key to creating security that enables sustainable development. The government is encouraged to replace the state security approach with a human security approach, which places the welfare of society as the main priority.
The importance of developing government infrastructure is also in line with improving the quality of life of the Papuan people through social and economic programs. Development based on indigenous communities and the local environment must be prioritized, so that the Papuan people feel ownership and receive direct benefits from this development.
An inclusive and sustainable development approach, which involves indigenous communities and considers environmental aspects, will ensure that accelerated development in Papua not only produces physical infrastructure, but also improves the quality of life and welfare of the Papuan people as a whole. Accelerating development in Papua is a complex effort and requires synergy from various parties. With a strong commitment from the government and active participation of the Papuan people, it is hoped that the vision of a healthy, intelligent and productive Papua can be realized, bringing real prosperity to all levels of Papuan society. Accelerating development is not only a physical project, but also a journey towards prosperity and independence for the people in Papua.