Synergy Between Government and Traditional Leaders Safeguards National Strategic Projects for Sustainable Development in Papua
Nabire – Papuan traditional leaders have emphasized that National Strategic Projects (PSN) are instruments to accelerate development aimed at improving public welfare, not policies that harm local communities or impose certain interests on the regions.
The Chair of the Central Papua Customary Council (Badan Musyawarah Adat/BMA Papua Tengah), Melkisedek Rumawai, called on the public and regional governments to work in synergy to support PSN so that their benefits can be directly felt by the people of Papua.
He assessed that PSN plays an important role in creating jobs, accelerating equitable development, and expanding access to welfare in regions that have long faced limitations in infrastructure and basic services.
According to Melkisedek, PSN should be understood as a long-term development compass rather than merely a list of projects. The program includes the development of connectivity, energy equity, strengthening food security, digital transformation, and human resource development.
However, the success of PSN largely depends on community involvement and the commitment of regional governments to oversee its implementation in a responsible manner.
“PSN covers everything from connectivity infrastructure, energy equity, and food sovereignty to digital transformation and the development of high-quality human resources. However,” Melkisedek Rumawai continued, “this grand vision will only be realized if the Papuan people move from the planning stage to thorough and responsible implementation,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of maintaining public security and order so that development can proceed in a conducive environment, while ensuring that central and regional government programs are implemented effectively and on target.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Ribka Haluk clarified circulating issues regarding allegations that President Prabowo Subianto had directed the planting of oil palm in Papua. Ribka asserted that the issue is untrue and does not reflect the context of the meeting between the President and Papuan regional leaders.
“There is an opinion currently circulating that there was a directive from the President to plant oil palm in Papua. That is not true,” Ribka said.
She explained that the President’s directive focused on accelerating development and strengthening food security by adjusting to the potential of each region. Papua has a wide range of local food commodities that can be developed according to regional characteristics, and is not limited to a single type of commodity.
Ribka emphasized that development acceleration through PSN is part of the national agenda to reduce disparities, strengthen local economies, and ensure that Papuan communities gain fair access to food, education, and overall welfare.
