Progress and Prosperity of Papua, A Concrete Manifestation of the Integration of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI)

By: Fania Yikwa

The progress of Papua in the last decade has become a real example of how the region has developed as an integral part of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. (NKRI).

Under President Jokowi’s leadership, the Land of Cenderawasih has undergone significant changes, particularly in terms of infrastructure development and the improvement of its people’s welfare.

Since taking office as the seventh President of Indonesia in 2014, the Head of State has been committed to transforming Papua, accelerating development, and bringing prosperity to communities that have often been isolated from the national development center.

One of the programs that has garnered attention in the development of Papua is the welfare approach implemented through various accelerated development programs. The Minister of National Development Planning (PPN)/Head of the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), Suharso Monoarfa, believes that the government has taken systematic steps to advance Papua.

The steps include a more comprehensive approach, encompassing infrastructure development, access to basic services, and strengthening the local economy. The development focused on Papua during President Jokowi’s leadership has been an effort to reduce the gap between the western and eastern regions of Indonesia.

The transformation in Papua is not only viewed from the perspective of infrastructure but also from the budgetary support that is specifically prepared to ensure the acceleration of welfare in the region nicknamed the Little Heaven that Fell to Earth.

The Deputy Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN), Kartika Wirjoatmodjo, stated that the government has prepared an operational budget aimed at funding projects related to the welfare of the people of Papua.

This approach reflects the government’s seriousness in improving the living standards of the community in the region, including by providing better educational, health, and economic facilities.

Cenderawasih Earth has also been a top priority in development policies over the past 10 years. Member of Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Sulaeman L Hamzah, emphasized that since the beginning of President Jokowi’s leadership, development in Papua has been prioritized.

In the last decade, basic infrastructure such as highways, airports, and ports has been built to open access to remote areas that were previously difficult to reach. These projects have a significant impact, not only on inter-regional connectivity but also on the increasingly growing local economic development.

The region nicknamed Little Paradise at the edge of Indonesia now has broader access to various public services. Massive infrastructure development, including the Trans Papua Road, has become an important means for local communities to connect with economic and government centers.

This has a direct impact on the acceleration of economic development in Papua. The community, which previously struggled to access health and education services, can now more easily enjoy the facilities that have been built by the government.

President Joko Widodo is not only focused on physical infrastructure. The man born in 1961 is also directing development that touches on the social and economic aspects of society. Various local community empowerment programs have been initiated to enhance the competitiveness of the Papuan economy.

With the support of appropriate budget and policies, Papua is increasingly developing into a region that can compete economically with other areas in Indonesia.

The development in the region nicknamed the Little Paradise in Eastern Indonesia also serves as a symbol of the successful integration of Papua into the framework of national development. The government continues to strive for social justice for all the people of Indonesia, including the Papuan community, which has often been marginalized in the past. In the last 10 years, significant changes have occurred in the Land of Cenderawasih, transforming it from a previously remote area into one of the focal points of development in Indonesia.

President Jokowi’s commitment to developing Papua cannot be overlooked. The Head of State has repeatedly emphasized that Papua must continue to be developed so that it does not fall behind other regions in Indonesia.

The Indonesia-centric approach implemented by the President shows that development is not only focused on Java or the western regions of Indonesia, but is also evenly distributed to the far eastern edges of the archipelago.

With the acceleration of infrastructure development and the empowerment of the local economy, Papua continues to move towards a brighter future. The progress in the region nicknamed the City of Gold is also proof that the government has worked hard to achieve prosperity for all the people of Indonesia.

Large projects such as new airports, ports, and highways connecting various regions in Papua are not just symbols of progress, but also reflect the government’s efforts to ensure that all citizens, without exception, experience the benefits of development.

In addition to infrastructure, welfare aspects are also a priority that is equally important. With better access to education and healthcare, the people of Papua now have greater opportunities for development.

The government continues to pay attention to the needs of the local community, ensuring that the development undertaken is not only physical but also strengthens social and economic aspects that can endure in the long term.

Overall, the progress that has occurred in Papua over the last decade reflects President Jokowi’s grand vision of building a fair and equitable Indonesia.

Papua, which was once often isolated, has now transformed into a connected, developing, and increasingly prosperous region. This change is largely due to the government’s hard work in developing the area as an integral part of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. This success demonstrates that Papua will continue to progress, becoming an advanced and prosperous region in line with ongoing development.

*) Political Observer of Papua and Remote Areas – Eastern Indonesia Political Study Center