By: Samuel Wanggai *
The government’s commitment to accelerating development in Papua continues to be strengthened as a tangible manifestation of the state’s presence in ensuring justice and equitable national development. Papua is no longer positioned as a peripheral region, but as a strategic part of Indonesia’s future that must grow in parallel with other regions. Under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto, the acceleration of Papua’s development is being pursued in a planned, integrated, and sustainable manner so that the benefits of development are truly felt by communities, down to villages and the most remote areas.
President Prabowo Subianto’s directives to regional heads across Papua and the Executive Committee for the Acceleration of Special Autonomy Development in Papua reaffirm that Papua’s development is a national priority that cannot be postponed. The government views it as the state’s moral and constitutional responsibility to ensure that no citizen is left behind in the course of development. Therefore, the acceleration of Papua’s development is positioned as a key instrument to reduce regional disparities while simultaneously strengthening national unity.
Papua’s development is emphasized to address all aspects of community life, ranging from the economy, education, and health to basic infrastructure. The government believes that a partial approach will not produce significant impact, making cross-sectoral and interconnected policies essential. In this context, food security is placed as a fundamental foundation. President Prabowo Subianto considers regional capacity to ensure food availability a crucial prerequisite for social stability and sustainable development.
Efforts to achieve food self-sufficiency in Papua are being directed down to the provincial and district levels. With strong local food production, Papua is expected to meet its communities’ needs independently and reduce reliance on supplies from outside the region. This step also serves as a driver of the local economy, creating jobs and improving the welfare of farmers and rural communities. The government believes that robust food security will serve as a cornerstone for the growth of other sectors.
Improving the quality of human resources is also a central focus. The Free Nutritious Meals Program has been implemented and expanded to remote areas as a form of state commitment to Papua’s younger generation. This program is integrated with efforts to strengthen access to education through people’s schools, designed to be accessible to communities down to the district level. The government is optimistic that investment in nutrition and education will produce a healthy, intelligent, and competitive Papuan generation.
To ensure that the acceleration of development runs effectively, the government has established the Executive Committee for the Acceleration of Special Autonomy Development in Papua. The committee is regarded as strategic in supporting governors and regents so that program implementation is more coordinated and well-targeted. Minister of Home Affairs Muhammad Tito Karnavian emphasized the importance of synchronizing and harmonizing central and regional policies to ensure that all programs truly have an impact on the ground and that state budgets are utilized optimally for public welfare.
From an institutional perspective, consolidation between the central and regional governments is key to success. Chair of the Papua Executive Committee, Velix Wanggai, considers the establishment of the committee a major political decision reflecting the government’s seriousness in managing Papua’s development acceleration through strengthened sectoral approaches and a deep understanding of local contexts. A long-term regulatory framework and five-year action plans have been prepared to ensure that the direction of Papua’s development remains consistent and sustainable.
The Asta Cita framework serves as the main foundation for accelerating Papua’s development as a continuation of fast-track measures already underway. Member of the Papua Development Acceleration Executive Committee, Paulus Waterpauw, believes that this framework provides a clear strategic direction to systematically address developmental gaps. In addition, investment is seen as playing a crucial role in generating long-term development impact, provided it is directed toward improving community welfare and strengthening the local economy.
In the infrastructure sector, the government prioritizes the completion of the Trans-Papua Road as the main connector between regions. This infrastructure is considered vital for opening up isolation, facilitating the distribution of goods and services, and reducing logistics costs that have long hindered Papua’s economy. The development of public facilities, fishing villages in coastal areas, and food security zones is also being accelerated to support community economic activities.
Overall, the acceleration of Papua’s development reflects the government’s strong commitment to delivering development that is just, inclusive, and sustainable. Synergy between the central and regional governments, strengthened governance, and targeted affirmative policies demonstrate that the state is truly present in Papua. Through collective effort and the support of all stakeholders, Papua is expected to grow into a developed and prosperous region, becoming an important part of Indonesia’s strength in the future.
Policy consistency, budgetary support, and close oversight of strategic programs further demonstrate the government’s seriousness in ensuring that all development agendas are implemented effectively and sustainably. With strong national leadership, solid cross-sectoral coordination, and active involvement from all stakeholders, Papua’s development is expected to accelerate, become more equitable, and deliver tangible benefits to public welfare, while simultaneously reinforcing the unity and integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.
The author is a Papuan youth activist.
