By: Alfred S. Wenda*
The government continues to strive to create a more advanced Papua through various means, including building human resource infrastructure, improving licensing bureaucracy, and improving health services. Papua has become one of the main focuses of President Joko Widodo’s (Jokowi) government because this region requires special attention compared to other regions in Indonesia.Through the Nawacita concept promoted by President Jokowi, the government is making this happen through increasing special budgets, such as increasing the Special Autonomy (Special Autonomy) Fund and special funds for infrastructure. Funding and feeder systems are also a concern for the government, because the large amount of funding for Papua’s development causes the APBN to swell. To overcome this, the government adopted the Public and Private Partnership (PPP) scheme , which allows public and private consortiums to lighten the country’s fiscal burden so that the development focus can be expanded.By maximizing the allocation of special autonomy funds through simplifying bureaucracy, as well as comprehensive development planning for Papua without sacrificing physical or non-physical aspects, the implementation of development in Papua can run smoothly. The narrative of dissatisfaction with the Free Papua Organization (OPM) and other separatist political elements has long been the government’s concern. Because the government understands that economic development without human development will only lead to horizontal conflict.At the inauguration of the Papua Youth Creative Hub (PYCH) in Jayapura City, President Jokowi reiterated that Indonesia’s development is no longer Java-centric, but Indonesia-centric, and the land of Papua is a priority for the government’s development. In fact, the President also explained a number of development achievements that had been made in Papua, starting from the construction of the Trans Papua Road and border roads, the construction and revitalization of airports, to the construction of border areas and state border crossing posts (PLBN).The 3,462 kilometer Trans Papua Road has been built, the 1,098 kilometer border road has also been completed, as well as the construction of the 1.3 kilometer Youtefa Bridge in Jayapura. Apart from that, the Domine Eduard Osok Airport terminal in Sorong has been repaired, airports in Wamena and Jayawijaya have also been built, and cross-border construction in Skouw, Sota and Yetetkun in Boven Digoel has been completed.From 2014 to 2022, budget allocations from the central, provincial and district/city levels for Papua’s development reached IDR 1,036 trillion. Therefore, the President invited the Papuan people to take part in overseeing the development process in Papua. The President also asked the people in Tanah Papua to monitor, supervise and observe this process so that no fraud occurs, considering that corruption is a scourge in all provinces in the context of development in the regions.The government has paid great attention to Papua, with various efforts made to improve the welfare of the community. Apart from that, the government also continues to encourage improving the quality of education in Papua through scholarship programs and the construction of new schools.As a form of special attention, recently the government also held National Children’s Day (HAN) 2024 in Papua. This event is an important moment to appreciate and celebrate the potential of children throughout Indonesia, especially Papuan children, as well as to highlight the importance of education and child protection.By presenting various educational and entertainment activities involving Papuan children, the government hopes to provide inspiration and motivation for the young generation of Papua to continue to excel and contribute to regional and national development.President Jokowi’s 18th visit to Papua and to attend the peak of the 2024 HAN celebration received appreciation from various figures in Papua, including church figures who expressed high appreciation for the President’s great attention to the Land of Papua.Chairman of the FKUB (Religious Communication Forum) Jayapura Regency, Rev. Albert Yoku, expressed his congratulations to President Jokowi and expressed his high appreciation for his great attention to development in Papua, so that the Papuan people are very happy about the visit from the number one person in the Republic of Indonesia.This visit was very special because President Jokowi met with the young generation of Papua at the peak of the 40th anniversary of HAN. Many Papuan children idolize President Jokowi, and under his leadership, Papua has experienced very significant development progress. The community also expressed their gratitude for the President’s sincerity in developing Papua and the great motivation given to Papuan children.The same appreciation was expressed by the Chairman of the Synod of the Indonesian Gospel Tent Church (GKII) Region 1 Papua, Rev. Petrus Bonyadone stated that President Joko Widodo’s attention to development in the Land of Papua was felt by the community. In his various services in several regions in Papua, Petrus Bonyadone heard directly the appreciation of the Papuan people for the hard work and leadership of President Joko Widodo which has brought many changes in Papua.
The Papuan people will continue to support the government in accelerating development in Papua. Therefore, the community hopes that all development in Papua can continue to be maintained, making Papua a land of peace that is able to provide prosperity for the Papuan people.Former Mayor of Jayapura, Benhur Tomi Mano also highlighted the government’s policy specifically for Papua by inviting all elements of society to work together to support the acceleration of development in Papua and achieve peace. Tomi Mano emphasized that Papua’s development will not be successful without the support of all parties. Including support from the church is very important for the development of Papua, especially in maintaining harmony.It is hoped that the Papuan people can feel the positive impact from various aspects and make maximum use of them to improve the local economy. This is because sustainable and inclusive development in Papua does not only aim to improve infrastructure, but also improve the welfare of the Papuan people as a whole, ensuring that the community can feel the benefits of the progress achieved so far.*The writer is a Senior Columnist from Papua