By: Rebecca Marian)*
The Papua New Autonomous Region Bill (RUU DOB) is waiting to be passed in the near future. The community supports the ratification of the bill, so that the government is expected to have a strong legal umbrella to divide the region for the progress of Papua.
Papua has a lot of potential from tourism to mining products. The natural wealth and produce on Cendrawasih Earth are excellent, and can be processed so that the people are more prosperous. To further increase the potential in Papua, the government will add new autonomous regions so that there are a total of 5 provinces from the initial 2 provinces.
The three new provinces in Papua are Central Papua Province (Meepago), South Papua (Ha Anim) and Central Highlands Papua (Lapago). The naming of the province is also based on customary territory, so there is local wisdom. But unfortunately the new autonomous region bill has not been ratified so that the three new provinces are not yet 100% established, because they are still waiting.
Rifqinizamy Karsayuda, Member of Commission II of the Indonesian House of Representatives stated that his party is targeting the Papua New Guinea Bill to be completed quickly, if possible before mid-2022. The plan is to have 3 bills regarding regional expansion. The target is set because if the bill becomes a law, there will be a new electoral district (Dapil) in the 2024 election.
The ratification of the new autonomous region bill into law is indeed awaited by the community, especially for indigenous Papuans. If there is a new electoral district in the election, it will have an impact on the addition of the electoral district and also seats in the DPR RI. This is still stated by Rifqinizamy Karsayuda.
In a sense, if there is an increase in the number of seats in the DPR RI, the impact will be very good for indigenous Papuans because their rights and aspirations will be more conveyed. People’s representatives will fight for the Earth of Cendrawasih region to be more advanced. So that there is no inequality between the eastern and western parts of Indonesia.
The community also supports the new autonomous region bill because they realize that there are many benefits from regional expansion. First, there will be equal distribution of facilities in the education sector. If there is a new province, schools will be built up to the equivalent of high school, so that people in the village do not have to go all the way to another city to reach a higher level of schooling. It will save time and also cost.
Facilities in the field of education are also supported by a representative library and the presence of teachers who have passed certification. They are passionate about teaching because they want to transfer knowledge and advance the sons of Papua. Papuan children are also eager to learn, especially when there is a Special Autonomy (Otsus) scholarship.
The DOB bill is also supported by the people because there are improvements in the health sector. In addition to the construction of new Puskesmas, there are also programs made with the APBD. Logically, the more provinces, the more APBD funds are issued by the government. With these funds, it is possible to carry out programs to eradicate dengue fever, malaria, and various other endemic areas in Papua.
Therefore, the Papuan people fully support the ratification of the new autonomous region bill. They are waiting for the formation of a new province because it will bring various positive impacts for the people of the Earth of Cendrawasih. The development carried out is not only in the field of infrastructure but also education and health.
The ratification of the new autonomous region bill needs support from many parties because it offers a variety of positive contributions. With the support of the entire community, the expansion of the Papua region can be implemented immediately and public services will increase.
)* The author is a Papuan student living in Jakarta
