Support the Investigation of Alleged Corruption in the Papua Special Autonomy Fund
By: Alfred Jigibalom )*
The Special Autonomy Fund, which should have been used by the Papuan people, was allegedly corrupted by irresponsible persons. The public also supports the investigation into the corruption of the Special Autonomy funds so that the corruptors are immediately arrested.
Special Autonomy (Otsus) is a privilege that has been granted to the people of Papua and West Papua since 2001, and they are given very large funds by the central government. It is hoped that this money will solve various problems in the Earth of Cendrawasih, such as infrastructure, economy, health, etc.
It’s a shame that the Otsus funds that were conveyed seemed to have been corrupted by rogue elements. Allegations of corruption arise because the poverty rate in Papua is still quite high, namely 20%. While Otsus itself has been going on for 20 years and the funds disbursed are getting bigger. In 2001, the Special Autonomy Fund was 1.38 trillion, while in 2021 it was 138.65 trillion.
This fantastic amount turns out to be something that is still not on target, so there are allegations of corruption whose suspects are still being sought. Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD stated that corruption in the Papua Special Autonomy Fund was under investigation. The investigation was a follow-up after he received a report from the Tabi and Sairei Regional Heads Forum.
Minister Mahfud continued, the investigation is being managed by the Attorney General’s Office, the KPK, and the Police. He has given a list based on the information that comes in. In a sense, the government will seriously assist in the investigation of this case so that the suspect is found, and will break the chain of Otsus corruption in Papua.
Investigations must involve many parties to work together, so that the suspect can be found quickly. Since this is a corruption case, the KPK will also be involved, and when the corruptor is found, he will have to deal with the police. All parties will help each other to investigate this case so that it can be finished quickly.
Corruption is a big case that must be investigated thoroughly, because it is very sad for the Papuan people if the Otsus funds are actually taken away by rogue elements. For example in the Special Autonomy budget for school buildings. When someone is circumcised, the quality of the building can be reduced. As a result, the classrooms and the roof collapse easily and will be very dangerous for the students.
In addition, corruption in the Special Autonomy funds can also be harmful when the budget for health is simply cut. When there are generic drugs that should be given free of charge to the underprivileged, but instead disappear because the funds are embezzled by corruptors. People in need are biting their fingers and cannot get treatment smoothly.
Corruption in the Special Autonomy Fund must be investigated so that it will no longer harm Papuans. According to Karo, an analyst with the National Police’s Security Intelligence Agency, Brigadier General Achmad Kartiko, the alleged corruption in the Special Autonomy Fund amounted to 1.8 trillion rupiah. One of the modes of corruption is by inflating the price of goods when they are procured. So that the pockets of corruptors who benefit while the state and civilians are harmed.
This mode of action must be stopped now and supervision of the Special Autonomy funds must be carried out even more strictly. Collaboration between the Attorney General’s Office, the KPK, the Police, local Papuan and West Papuan officials, the Papuan People’s Council, and all civilians must be carried out. The goal is to prevent the leakage of Otsus funds which will harm the community.
Don’t let the Otsus funds be embezzled by tie rats and end up harming Papuan civilians. The reason is because money from the state should be earmarked for progress on the Earth of Cendrawasih. Investigations into the corruption case of the Special Autonomy Fund must be carried out carefully so that the corruptor is caught, and he must be held accountable for his actions in prison.
)* The author is a Papuan student living in Bali
