By: Lua Murib )*
The National Strategic Projects (PSN) being rolled out in Papua represent an important momentum for accelerating development and improving the welfare of local communities. PSN is not merely a list of projects on paper, but a comprehensive development blueprint targeting various vital sectors, ranging from infrastructure, food security, and energy to digital transformation and the development of high-quality human resources. With its broad scale and scope, PSN is expected to become an economic driver capable of creating jobs while expanding more equitable access to welfare for the people of Papua.
The Chair of the Central Papua Customary Council (BMA), Melkisedek Rumawai, emphasized that the success of PSN depends on strong synergy between local governments and communities. Community support—ranging from accelerating licensing processes and land provision to project oversight—is key to ensuring that PSN implementation is well targeted. According to him, national strategic projects implemented in Papua are not solely aimed at physical development, but also at fostering employment opportunities and strengthening local capacity. Rumawai stressed the importance of maintaining public security and order so that development can proceed smoothly and its benefits can be felt directly by the community.
In the Papua Highlands, PSN has also shown tangible impacts on strengthening the local economy. The Deputy Governor of Papua Highlands, Ones Pahabol, stated that the opening of 800 hectares of rice fields in Tulem, Witawaya District, Jayawijaya Regency, is part of a strategic PSN initiative. This area is viewed as a new food production center capable of supporting food security at both local and national levels. The regional government is targeting a total of around 2,000 hectares of rice fields spread across several districts to be developed, including Piramid, Kurulu, Pisugi, Siepkosi, Pugima, Libarek, Muai, and Minimo. This step is expected not only to strengthen food production but also to create employment opportunities for local communities, including young people who can be involved as heavy equipment operators or field workers.
The rice field expansion program in Papua is also seen as a response to the region’s dependence on rice supplies from outside areas. Governor of Papua, Mathius Fakhiri, emphasized that 2026 will be a decisive period of field implementation for the success of PSN. This phase focuses on land readiness, the development of supporting infrastructure, and the utilization of local human resources as a long-term foundation. With a planned expansion of 5,380 hectares of rice fields, Papua will not only strengthen food security but also generate new job opportunities in the agricultural sector, providing direct economic benefits to local communities.
The economic impact of PSN in Papua is not limited to agriculture. These strategic projects also include the development of connectivity and energy infrastructure, which opens space for new economic activities, including trade, services, and the creative sector. Improved connectivity between cities and districts enables more efficient distribution of local products and reduces disparities in access to basic necessities. This, in turn, expands employment opportunities for local communities, especially young people, who can participate as skilled workers or new entrepreneurs.
In addition, PSN opens opportunities for digital transformation and human resource development. The program encourages Papuan communities to acquire new skills, including operating modern agricultural technology, production management, and digital-based business management. In this way, PSN not only builds physical infrastructure but also strengthens local capacity so that communities can compete at regional and national levels. Enhancing local human resource capabilities aligns with PSN’s objective of creating fair and sustainable development, where economic benefits are enjoyed by all layers of society.
The implementation of PSN in Papua also emphasizes participatory and sustainability principles. Local governments ensure that the land used remains owned by residents, while land utilization for strategic projects is carried out through permits and cooperation that prioritize shared interests. This approach is important to foster a sense of ownership among communities, thereby ensuring program sustainability and reducing the potential for social conflict. Moreover, oversight involving both communities and local governments serves as a transparency mechanism to ensure that every project runs as planned, is well targeted, and delivers tangible benefits to local welfare.
Thus, PSN in Papua presents a holistic development model that combines economic growth, job creation, enhanced food security, and equitable access to welfare. Collaboration between the central government, regional governments, and local communities is the main key to the success of this program. PSN not only brings physical and economic changes, but also strengthens local capacity so that Papuan communities can actively participate in the development process, create jobs, and enjoy more evenly distributed welfare benefits.
The success of PSN in Papua under the Prabowo–Gibran administration serves as evidence that well-planned and synergistic development can open new opportunities for regions that have long been left behind. With full community support and consistent implementation, PSN has the potential to become a driving force for economic progress, equitable welfare distribution, and sustainable development across Papua, while also serving as an example of fair and inclusive strategic development for other regions in Indonesia.
)* The author is a Papuan student studying in East Java
