By: Moses Walker )*
Tribal chiefs in Papua support the government’s plan to divide the territory. The policy is considered appropriate in order to improve public services while accelerating regional development.
The division of the Papua region into 5 regions is a mandate from Law 21 of 2001 concerning Special Autonomy for Papua. This was conveyed by the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD.
The purpose of the expansion of the new autonomous region is to focus more on the welfare of the Papuan people, because Papua is an inseparable part of Indonesia. The development of the provinces of Papua and West Papua requires a targeted and measurable synergy between the central government and local governments as well as substantial financial support that has been provided by the central government through special autonomy funds.
In line with this, the expansion of new autonomous regions, which are currently being programmed by the central government, aims to improve people’s welfare and economic equality in Papua and West Papua. The good thing related to this expansion received a lot of support from various parties, especially Papuan community leaders, one of which was from Niko Maury as the Chair of the Red and White Front in Jayapura City and the Head of the PPM Department of the Papua Province.
He said that the division of Papua province which is the current central government program is the aspirations of the people that have been conveyed since ten years ago.
Meanwhile, the head of the MeePago tribe, Hans Mote, stated that he strongly agreed and would give full support to the government for the expansion of the new autonomous region in Papua. With the expansion of this new autonomous region, it is hoped that Papua will become more advanced and its development evenly distributed in every line so that the people can also advance.
In line with Hans Mote, Ondofolo Yanto Eluay who is a traditional Tabi leader also supports the government’s plan for the expansion of the new Autonomous Region in Papua. Yanto believes that the purpose of the division is for the progress and welfare of the Papuan people as well as for education and progress in all aspects and that is the basis for him to provide support.
He, as a traditional leader, also continues to encourage and support the realization of the government’s plan for the expansion of new autonomous regions in the provinces of Papua and West Papua. He invited the Papuan people to support the expansion policy in Papua, because this expansion has a very good purpose.
The expansion of the new autonomous region carried out by the central government will be oriented towards customary areas and this is certainly very positive for the progress of the people in Papua.
Previously, the Minister of Home Affairs, Tito Karnavian, presented the scenario for the expansion of the region in Papua on April 8 to the DPR. Plans for new provinces in Papua include South Papua, Central Papua, Central Mountains and Southwest Papua. According to Tito, the scenario for regional expansion in Papua depends on the state’s financial capacity and the results of the revision of the Special Autonomy Law for Papua. The government proposes amendments to the article containing provisions for the expansion of regions in Papua to support the realization of the scenario for the expansion of Papua.
If you look at the area and geographical conditions of Papua, there is a need for division, but its implementation should be gradual and must prioritize the needs of the community. Do not let the division of this region only become the political needs of certain elites. The community needs to be invited to dialogue to determine this. Meanwhile, what is the need for a special agency to oversee and evaluate the implementation of the special autonomy fund.
Papuan leader Wilem Frans Ansanay said the characteristics of the land of Papua were different from other regions. One example is that the area of one district in Papua is the same as one province on the island of Java. According to him, Papua must be taken seriously, especially in the health sector. It’s just that a number of problems in Papua are still encountered, areas close to the province are still lacking, what about other areas.
He added that the revision of law (UU) number 21 of 2001 on Papua’s Special Autonomy (Otsus) regulates a number of aspects. Among other things, reinforce the plan for regional expansion or the provincial government in Papua. Wilem emphasized that the budget allocation for health is around 15%. In fact, the health sector should reach 25% or 50%.
The expansion of the territory in Papua should be a program that can be taken seriously, with the existence of this program, development in Papua will be more active and public access to public facilities will be easier.
)* The author is a Papuan student living in Bali
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