Formation of the Papua New Guinea, Government Ensures People’s Welfare Within the Unitary Republic of Indonesia
Papua Province is the focus of the government in equitable distribution of infrastructure development in the context of the welfare of the people of Papua and strengthening the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).
Papua, which is located in the easternmost region, was included in the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) on November 19, 1969 through UN resolution no. 2504. This is also an acknowledgment of the integration of Papua into Indonesia according to international law.
Furthermore, Papua became a legal autonomous region for Indonesia in the same year through Law No. 12 of 1969 concerning the Establishment of the West Irian Autonomous Region and Autonomous Regencies in West Irian Province.
Currently, through the Plenary Meeting of the DPR RI on (30/6/2022) approved 3 Draft Laws (RUU) related to the new province of Papua or New Autonomous Region of Papua.
The laws that were passed were the South Papua Province Law, the Central Papua Province Law, and the Mountain Province Law. Through the ratification of the law, it will accelerate development in three new provinces in Papua.
Meanwhile, the Province of Southwest Papua has just been established. The Bill on the Formation of the Southwest Papua Province was passed through a DPR RI meeting with the government on Thursday (17/11/2022).
Makara Strategic Insight researcher, Satya Aji P, said that the formation of 3 New Autonomous Regions (DOB) in Papua was an effort to improve the welfare of indigenous Papuans. Through the formation of the new autonomous region, the government is trying to accelerate various developments in Papua.
“The ratification of this law is a form of the government’s commitment to equitable distribution of infrastructure development in the Papua region,” said Satya.
In addition, he also said that the formation of the new autonomous region would have a positive impact on the people of Papua. “By passing laws related to 4 new provinces in Papua, the government will also ensure the welfare of the Papuan people and be protected within the framework of the Republic of Indonesia,” he said.
One of the aspirations to form a new autonomous region of Papua can be carried out by considering national strategic interests in the context of strengthening the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.
In addition to considering national strategic interests, in order to strengthen the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, there is also the issue of accelerating the development of people’s welfare, as well as maintaining Indonesia’s positive image in the eyes of the international community.
