Currently Papua has 4 New Autonomous Regions (DOB), namely the Provinces of Central Papua, Central Highlands Papua, Southwest Papua and South Papua. The community is very supportive of the formation of this new autonomous region because it provides many benefits for residents on Cendrawasih Earth. The new autonomous regions will be useful for equitable development because the government’s span of control is getting smaller and APBD funds from the center are increasing.
At first Papua had 2 provinces namely Papua and West Papua. However, the people want the addition of new provinces because for an area the size of Papua, there are too few if there are 2 provinces. In 1919, as many as 61 representatives of indigenous Papuans finally had an audience with President Jokowi. Then their wish was granted in 2022 and the government added 4 new autonomous regions on Cendrawasih Earth.
The four new provinces in Papua are the provinces of Southwest Papua, Central Papua (Meepago), South Papua (Ha Anim) and Central Highlands Papua (Lapago). The people are grateful because the inauguration of the new autonomous region is a form of the central government’s attention to the people of Papua.
President Joko Widodo stated that the formation of 4 New Autonomous Regions (DOB) in Papua was based on community requests. The formation of the new autonomous region is aimed at equitable development in Cenderawasih Earth. The government wants to increase the reach of public services so that they can touch all areas in Papua.
In a sense, the formation of the 4 new autonomous regions in Papua will equalize development results. The existence of infrastructure does not only exist in big cities or regencies, but is evenly distributed to remote areas of Cendrawasih Earth. Regional expansion will shorten the logistics route, where Papua is geographically full of natural challenges.
If there are additional new autonomous regions, infrastructure in the form of representative roads and bridges will also be built. That way it will increase land routes and people will no longer be hindered by the natural geographical conditions of Papua. When logistics is easier, it will be faster, cheaper, and more efficient.
The addition of the new autonomous regions will shorten the distance between the provincial government offices and the people of Papua. If an area the size of Papua only has 2 provinces, then it is rather difficult to regulate it. But when added and there are a total of 6 provinces, it will simplify administrative arrangements and make it easier for the people. It is also easier to regulate and coordinate with the Provincial Government because they are closer.
Jaleswari Pramodhawardani, Deputy V of the Office of the President’s Staff, stated that the addition of the New Autonomous Region in Papua is a form of the government’s and the DPR RI’s partiality towards the aspirations of the people. Especially for Indigenous Papuans (OAP) who want steps to accelerate welfare development in the Cendrawasih Land region.
In a sense, the government is very concerned about the people of Papua and ultimately created divisions. The establishment of the Provinces of Central Papua, Highlands Papua, South Papua and Southwest Papua was a request from the people of Cendrawasih. After the new autonomous region was officially established, the people were very happy because the government was on their side.
So far, President Jokowi has paid great attention to the people of Papua, and has set a record as the head of state who has visited the Cendrawasih Land the most times. He also granted the people’s request for the division of the Papua region. Especially when Papua is too large in area (almost 40,000 m2) so new provinces are needed to make it easier to regulate.
With the inauguration of the 4 new autonomous regions, there will be an even distribution of development. Development in Papua really needs to be increased so that it is evenly distributed. So, not only big cities like Jayapura or Merauke have good infrastructure. But also other areas such as Nabire, Yahukimo, Intan Jaya, Mimika, etc.
Equitable development is needed so that the community can progress. When the 4 new provinces were established, new provincial government offices were established. Automated roads and other infrastructure continues to be repaired. The Papuan people are very grateful to the central government because since the new province was established, there will be many positive changes there.
The development needed by the community is not only in the form of roads and bridges, but also school buildings. If there is a new province, new school buildings will be built, starting from kindergarten to high school. Papuan children can go to school there and do not have to go to another city because there is no high school in their area.
Therefore, the people are very grateful because the government has granted the request, by adding new autonomous regions so that there are a total of 6 provinces in Cendrawasih. President Jokowi has proven to be on the side of the people, especially indigenous Papuans. When it was 2019 and there were 61 delegates from the Papuan people who asked for regional expansion, he granted it a few years later.
The addition of 4 new autonomous regions in Papua is very useful for equitable development. This is because the distance between the provincial government office and the people will be closer and the governor understands the needs of his citizens. Apart from that, development in the 6 new autonomous regions of Papua will be even more massive. Both in the form of infrastructure in the fields of communication, transportation, and other supporting facilities.
) * The author is a Papuan student living in Bandung
