By: Sabby Kosay )*
President Joko Widodo paid his first working visit to Papua in his second term as president. The visit marked the Government’s commitment to advance Papua, so it was hoped to bring optimism to the people of Papua.
After the inauguration, the President began to be busy by various work agendas. This RI 1 person is famous for his quick movements in facing polemics. Not only that, his calm and thoughtful attitude is also an added value, no doubt many who favor him. Not one or two problems are resolved, there may be thousands and are not highlighted. However, personally he is a great figure. He tried always to bring justice to all the people of Indonesia. Although sometimes the pros and cons attack. It is fitting, if he enters the ranks of influential Muslims in the world at number 13. Because, its performance is so amazing.
All efforts are mobilized with the state apparatus and elements of society to build mutual prosperity. One of them is, his visit to Papua on October 26, 2019. President Jokowi and First Lady Iriana visited several cities to carry out a number of work agendas. Based on information from the Head of the Press, Media and Information Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat Erlin Suastini, the entourage and the President took off using an Indonesian-1 Presidential Aircraft from the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force base, around four o’clock (WIB).
The president and his entourage arrived at Domine Eduard Osok Airport, Sorong City, which then continued for the night. And continue the work schedule the next day. The arrival of the President is the first post of his inauguration on 20 October 2019. This shows the seriousness of the government to always be committed to developing and advancing Papua. Both physically and human resources (HR).
Also accompanied by several ministers who accompanied him there. Among other things, Basuki Hadimuljono as Minister of Public Works and Public Housing, Minister of Transportation namely Budi Karya Sumadi, Heru Budi Hartono as Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Suharyanto as Military Secretary to President Major General of the TNI, and Commander of Paspampres Mayjen TNI Maruli Simanjuntak, along with the President’s Special Staff in Communications Fadjroel Rahman.
According to the statement of the Minister of the Interior (Mendagri) Tito Karnavian, President Jokowi visited Wamena and Jayapura. Not only that, they have visited Manokwari and Arfak Mountains Regency in West Papua Province. Do not forget to visit the districts of Kaimana and Fakfak to review the Trans Papua road project.
The President said he wanted to hasten to Papua, especially the cities of Wamena and Jayapura, as well as inaugurate the Holtekamp Bridge project. His presence there is expected to give a signal that the government is also very concerned about the situation. Tito considered that if the President’s attention was very great, it would be the people of the Earth of Paradise.
Ahead of this work agenda, a number of preparations were carried out in the Kaimana, Manokwari and Arfak Mountains regions. The Minister of Home Affairs together with the TNI Commander Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto along with the Acting National Police Chief, Comr. Gen. Ari Dono, have been preparing in Manokwari since Friday, to ensure preparations in the area related to the visit later.
Based on the schedule, the journey starts from Manokwari, then goes to the Arfak Mountains by the Air Force Helicopter. From here, the President returned to Manokwari and immediately flew to the Kaimana area. In this series of activities after completing affairs in Kaimana, it is said that on the same day the president will continue his agenda to the city of Wamena, in Jayawijaya regency, Papua.
West Papua Governor Muhammad Lakotani was grateful that at the beginning Jokowi’s leadership began his work visit to a number of areas in Papua and West Papua. He was sure there would be a strategic development plan that would later be conveyed by the President. Lakotani also said that since two years ago the Arfak Mountains Regent Yosias Saroy was waiting for President Jokowi’s visit. The presence of the president is very much expected both at the community and at the local government level. The Regent also wants Jokowi to see directly the tourism potential along with other natural resources, not forgetting to see the current situation and condition of the Arfak Mountains. President Jokowi’s visit to the region is expected to have a significant impact on infrastructure development, like roads, bridges, as well as education and other basic infrastructure.
Needless to say, this exciting news shows that President Jokowi started his state agenda in Papua as a form of his love for Bumi Cendrawasih. He did not want to annex or override the eastern axis region. He also tried to embrace a number of parties to go forward to build a more advanced Indonesia!
)* The writer is a Papuan student living in Yogyakarta