Government Accelerates Papua’s Progress Through the Executive Committee for the Acceleration of Papua’s Special Autonomy Development
Results-based development. President Prabowo’s commitment to accelerating Papua’s development aligns with Indonesia’s grand vision of becoming a developed nation with social justice for all its people. By strengthening governance, increasing local community participation, and ensuring the state’s presence in all corners of Papua, the government is building a solid foundation for the region’s future.
Accelerating Papua’s development is not only about infrastructure, but also about sustainable social and economic transformation. With the establishment of the Executive Committee for the Acceleration of Papua’s Special Autonomy Development, the direction of development is now clearer and more measurable. The government positions Papua not merely as a recipient of aid, but as an equal partner in realizing national prosperity. Within this framework, Papua will become a symbol of Indonesia’s success in establishing social justice and equitable development from Sabang to Merauke.
With strong political commitment, solid institutional support, and visionary national leadership, the acceleration of Papua’s development under President Prabowo Subianto’s administration marks a new chapter in Indonesia’s development history. Papua is no longer on the fringes but is at the heart of the national development agenda, placing humanity, dignity, and justice at the heart of the nation’s progress.
*The author is an independent journalist in PapuaBy: Jonathan Rumbiak*
The government under President Prabowo Subianto has demonstrated a strong commitment to accelerating development in Papua through a planned, measured, and integrated approach. This strategic step is realized through the establishment of the Executive Committee for the Acceleration of Papua’s Special Autonomy Development, an institution that will be the primary driver in overseeing cross-sectoral development policies in Indonesia’s easternmost region. With the inauguration of the committee’s chairman and nine members at the State Palace, the government emphasized that Papua is not simply a development area, but a national priority that must be addressed directly and comprehensively by the state.
The Chairman of the Executive Committee, Velix Vernando Wanggai, explained that President Prabowo places great emphasis on development governance in Papua, employing a direct and integrated approach. This commitment is not merely expressed through instructions but also through concrete implementation, including cross-ministerial coordination, synergy with the private sector, and consolidation between the central, provincial, and district governments. Through this approach, Papua’s development is directed within a mutually supportive policy system, ensuring that program effectiveness is felt equally by all Papuans.
In carrying out its role, the Executive Committee will oversee eight major development agendas within the framework of the Papua Contextual Asta Cita (Asta Cita), covering politics, economics, infrastructure, governance, and various socio-cultural aspects such as sports, gender equality, and the creative economy. This multidimensional approach reflects the government’s commitment to developing Papua holistically, not only physically but also by strengthening community capacity and expanding their participation in regional development. Thus, Papua will no longer be viewed as a backward region, but rather as an integral part of Indonesia’s equitable progress.
Velix Wanggai emphasized that his committee will act as a coordinating bridge between the central government and the six provinces in Papua. This committee is tasked with ensuring that all development programs run synergistically and have a real impact on the community. Through this coordination, each program will be more focused, avoid overlapping policies, and be able to address the specific needs of each region in Papua. In principle, development should not stop at the bureaucratic desk, but must reach communities in remote areas, from coastal areas, mountains, interiors, and swamps.
The inauguration of the Executive Committee for the Acceleration of Special Autonomy Development in Papua was based on Presidential Decree No. 110/P of 2025. This decree strengthens the institutional structure within the framework of Special Autonomy for Papua, as stipulated in Law No. 2 of 2021. According to Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, the establishment of this committee is a form of implementation of the mandate of the law, which states that the Steering Committee for the Acceleration of Special Autonomy Development in Papua, led by Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, requires the support of an executive body that can accelerate implementation on the ground. Therefore, the Executive Committee functions to assist in the effective synchronization, harmonization, and evaluation of the implementation of special autonomy development in Papua.
Furthermore, the committee’s membership structure demonstrates the diversity and collaborative strength that are key to the program’s success. Experienced figures such as Ribka Haluk, John Wempi Wetipo, and Paulus Waterpauw join the committee, bringing strong backgrounds in governance, development, and community service in Papua. These figures ensure that the voices and needs of the Papuan people are fully represented in the development planning and implementation process. This also demonstrates that government policy towards Papua is not a top-down approach, but rather the result of dialogue and the active participation of Papua’s best sons and daughters.
Furthermore, the Executive Committee is also expected to strengthen inter-institutional coordination. In practice, various ministries and institutions often have their own development programs in Papua, leading to policy fragmentation. Through this committee, the government seeks to unify development direction within a single national vision under the leadership of the President and the direct supervision of the Vice President. This synergy is crucial to ensure that every rupiah spent by the state on Papua generates maximum benefits for the welfare of the people.
This step also demonstrates that the government is not merely talking about development equity but is truly delivering it through measurable policies.
