By: Abner Wanggai)*
The special autonomy will continue in 2021 because reflecting on the previous period, this program has been a great success. The community also supports the success of Otsus Papua so that the policy is right on target and provides many benefits to the community.
How’s Papua? After successfully hosting the XX PON and Peparnas, the Papuan government will of course continue its mission to prosper the people. This is also fully supported by the central government, because the funds have been provided through special autonomy. Otsus volume 1 began in 2001 and ended in 2021, and was extended to become Otsus volume 2.
For Otsus volume 2, it is even more special because the funds disbursed are much larger, namely 7.78 trillion. This budget is 2.25% of the national general allocation fund (DAU) ceiling. This was stated by the Head of the Fiscal Policy Agency of the Ministry of Finance, Febrio Kacaribu. This increase is provided that there are improvements and sharpening of the allocation of Otsus funds, in the sense that they must be distributed to the people.
Otsus volume 2 must be guarded to be successful, and funds are actually disbursed for the people. For example, for scholarships, school construction and restoration, construction of health facilities, etc. So, the Otsus funds are not only for building roads and bridges, but also for other fields, because the goal is for the prosperity of Papua.
The monitoring of the Special Autonomy funds is not only carried out by officials, BPK, KPK, and officials, but also the community. The reason is because Otsus is intended for them, so for example there is a smell of being drained of funds, it should be reported as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, the increase in Special Autonomy funds is considered reasonable, because there is inflation and the price of goods in Papua is more expensive than in Java, so the budget for infrastructure development is indeed higher. This is for the prosperity of the Papuan people, and at the same time equitable development from Sabang to Merauke.
The people on Earth of Cendrawasih also agreed to Otsus volume 2 because it was very beneficial for them. In addition, the Special Autonomy funds are also earmarked for indigenous peoples, so they are happy because they are fully supported by the government. In Papua, the customs are still strong and the Papuan People’s Assembly has been formed as a representative, so that their aspirations can be conveyed.
In addition, there is also Law No. 2 of 2021 regarding Special Autonomy, which gives a special place for indigenous peoples. They sit in the legislature at the district or city level, so that they can filter their voices more and more, as representatives of the people. So the indigenous Papuans (OAP) can get more attention, both from the local government and the central government.
Theofransus Litaay, the main expert at the Presidential Staff Office (KSP) deputy 5 stated that 25% of DPRK members will be filled by Papuans, without going through a general election process. This is because OAP has the privilege of being a native of the Earth of Cendrawasih. The government is indeed more concerned with indigenous Papuans so that they become hosts in their own territory.
In addition, 30% of the OAP quota in the DPRK is filled by female legislators. In a sense, the government has implemented gender equality, both in Papua and other regions. This also shows that in Papua there are also many great women who are educated and accomplished, so they deserve to be members of the DPRK council.
Otsus volume 2 does need to be escorted in order to be 100% successful. In addition to research and supervision in the provision of Otsus funds, there needs to be special attention from the BPK, so that there is no potential for fraud or KKN. Don’t let people’s money be misused. In addition, indigenous peoples are also placed in the legislature to better voice the needs of the Papuan people.
)* The author is a Papuan student living in Yogyakarta
