By: Timothy Gobay )*
The Papuan people fully support the regional expansion which is the aspiration of the local population. The Papuan people are also committed to the success of the division of the Papua region in order to accelerate progress on the Earth of Cendrawasih.
When it just joined as a province in Indonesia, Papua (formerly Irian Jaya) only had 1 province. This goes on for decades. In fact, the area of Cendrawasih Earth is very large (more than 4000 Ha) so that it can be difficult to regulate it. The government finally made an expansion and added it to the Province of West Papua.
After there are 2 provinces, in 2021 there will be another discourse for the expansion of the Papua region, and the most serious is the establishment of the Provinces of Central Papua and South Papua. This expansion is intended to make it easier to manage the inhabitants of the Cendrawasih Earth, because each tribe has a different culture. If there is an expansion of the region then the governor can be easier to regulate, because they better understand the character.
The expansion of the Papua region is also stated in the Special Autonomy Law and the Papuan people themselves agree with it. The Papuan people themselves asked the government for regional expansion, and as many as 61 representatives held hearings with President Jokowi. They hope that regional expansion will not only be a plan on paper, but also be carried out in reality.
Regional expansion is indeed a hot topic to be discussed in Papuan society. They are aware that regional expansion can bring many positive impacts. First, if there are more provinces in Papua, the more funds will be disbursed for the APBD, so that it can be channeled for development in Bumi Cendrawasih.
Second, regional expansion will advance various districts and cities in Papua, because more facilities and infrastructure will be built. In addition to the governor, regent, and mayor office complex buildings, there are also schools, bridges, roads, etc. With these various infrastructures, the community will be helped by facilitating mobility and getting schools with good facilities.
While the third, regional expansion can also facilitate administration. If the territory of Papua is very wide and there are only 2 provinces, then to arrange letters to the provincial capital is very tiring because it is far away, and the transportation costs are not small. However, when there are additional provinces, the distance is closer and makes it easier for them to take care of various important letters.
Thomas Sanpafo, Deputy Regent of Asmat and chairman of the division team for the South Papua region will send a letter to President Jokowi and a number of related ministers, to follow up on the plan for regional expansion. This letter was sent after there was a statement from the Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian who gave the green light for the expansion of the Papua region.
It is not certain when the division of the Papua region will occur. First, we are still in a pandemic, so the central government is focusing on handling the effects of the corona virus.
Second, Papua and West Papua will host the XX PON so they are still focusing on the event and fixing it after it is finished.
However, the government ensures that the division of territory in Papua will actually happen, just waiting for the right time. The expansion of the territory can no longer be postponed, for the prosperity and comfort of the Papuan people.
Papua will be expanded again and added 2 provinces. The division of this region is considered reasonable because for an area as large as Papua, having only 2 provinces is too few, and the addition of provinces will also make it easier for the people of Bumi Cendrawsih. The reason is because it is easier for them to administer the administration to the provincial capital.
)* The author is a Papuan student living in Gorontalo