By: Abner Wanggai)*
President Jokowi continues to optimize the handling of security and infrastructure development in Papua. With the seriousness of the Government, the progress of Papua is expected to be realized quickly.
There are 2 issues that have always accompanied Papua until now, namely infrastructure development and security. 2 things that make the government concerned in dealing with problems in the easternmost region of Indonesia.
The government also ensures that it will continue to handle security and infrastructure development in Papua. This was conveyed by Vice President Ma’ruf Amin when giving a press statement after chairing a meeting on Papua at the Vice President’s official residence, Jalan Diponegoro Number 2, Jakarta.
In terms of security in Papua, Ma’ruf ensured that the government would handle the matter as well as possible. He also gave directions to the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD to coordinate with TNI Commander Hadi Tjahjanto, National Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo and Head of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) Budi Gunawan regarding this matter.
It is intended that acts of violence in Papua can be overcome, both in the short, medium and long term. Ma’ruf said the TNI, Polri and BIN will continue to carry out their duties to protect civilians and enforce law and security for rioters.
On this occasion, Ma’ruf also asked that all religious and community leaders in Papua could continue to cooperate with the government to create a conducive atmosphere in Papua. It is intended that all programs that have been scheduled can be carried out properly.
On the other hand, Ma’ruf also ensured that the government had a strong commitment to accelerate the development of welfare in the Papua Region. Moreover, in carrying out this, there is already a Presidential Instruction (Inpres) Number 9 of 2020 concerning the acceleration of welfare development in the Provinces of Papua and West Papua.
He said that in the future the acceleration of development will be continued by the central and regional governments in order to improve welfare and make Papua safe.
Previously, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said that progress in Papua had spread to every corner of Papua. This is marked by the completion of infrastructure development on the Cenderawasih Earth. Jokowi is known to have an Indonesia-centric development program that is not only centered on the island of Java. The provinces of Papua and West Papua are the Head of State’s special attention regarding infrastructure.
A number of infrastructures that signify Papua’s progress include the Youtefa bridge located in Jayapura. Jokowi has inaugurated it in 2019. Now the bridge has become a landmark of the city.
Jokowi has also mentioned that the Skouw Cross-Border Post (PLBN) is located in the Muara Tami District, Jayapura City. The post is directly adjacent to neighboring Papua New Guinea.
Jan Christian Arebo as General Chairperson of the Papuan Indigenous Youth said the government’s efforts and attention to building Papua had been good. However, there is still homework to be done so that the Papuan people can prosper.
Christian also invites youth in Papua to attend by opening their minds, views and insights so that people know that the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia is final. This means that Papua cannot be separated from Indonesia.
Previously, the special staff of the President, who is also a native Papuan from the Saireri customary territory, Billy Mambrasar, gave a firm response to people who doubted President Jokowi’s commitment to building the Easternmost Earth of the Archipelago.
During his tenure as well, Jokowi has prioritized the development of infrastructure and superior Human Resources (HR) as part of a large framework for responding to solutions to problems in Papua.
For the development of physical infrastructure, for example, the construction of the very progressive and transformative Trans Papua, as well as the completion of the Papua Bangkit stadium with international standards.
Regarding security, Jokowi has special attention, especially when he heard about the problems in Nduga, Jokowi was immediately responsive in giving instructions to carry out security at certain points. TNI troops were also deployed to the Ndiga area, in addition to securing the area, they were also overseeing the construction process of the Trans Papua Road.
Infrastructure and security development in Papua must indeed be a concern and be handled hand in hand, without good security, of course development in Papua will be hampered by the actions of some people who do not like Papua’s progress.
)* The author is a Papuan student living in Yogyakarta
