The development of Papua is a concrete manifestation of the government’s commitment to advancing Indonesia’s eastern region
By: Adi Sudjatmiko )*
In the last ten years, Indonesia’s infrastructure development has accelerated significantly. Large projects have become part of President Jokowi’s vision to realize inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Infrastructure development in Indonesia has become a top priority during the era of President Jokowi’s administration. These various projects also aim to strengthen connectivity and support economic transformation not only on the island of Java, but also targeting previously undertouched areas such as Papua.
Since the beginning of his leadership, President Jokowi has emphasized the importance of infrastructure as a “locomotive” that will drive national economic growth. Good infrastructure not only creates connectivity between regions, but also accelerates the movement of goods and services, which ultimately increases people’s productivity and welfare.
What differentiates infrastructure development in the Jokowi era from the previous government is its Indonesia-centric approach. The government is not only focusing on economic center areas such as Java and Sumatra, but is also expanding development projects to 3T (Disadvantaged, Frontier, Outermost) areas. This development aims to ensure that all regions of Indonesia can be connected and contribute to the national economy.
In areas such as Papua, the development of road, port and airport infrastructure has changed the face of the local economy. Previously, limited infrastructure made the area isolated and difficult to access national and global markets. However, with the Trans-Papua road and various other development projects, connectivity is increasingly improving, facilitating the distribution of goods and opening up new economic opportunities.
Spokesperson for the PUPR Ministry, Endra S. Atmawidjaja, said that the construction of national roads in good condition had increased to 6,000 km, covering border areas such as Papua, Kalimantan and NTT. This development is not only about physical infrastructure, but also creating social and economic connectivity between regions which is one of the main foundations in maintaining the unity and stability of the Republic of Indonesia.
According to him, the existence of adequate infrastructure not only facilitates the movement of people and goods, but also has a direct impact on economic growth. When remote areas are connected to main markets, access to goods and services becomes easier, and new business opportunities open up. This ultimately creates jobs, reduces logistics costs, and increases the competitiveness of local products in national and international markets.
Meanwhile, Minister of Investment/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), Rosan Roeslani, said the Government is committed to encouraging equitable distribution of quality and sustainable investment in the Eastern Indonesia region. Rosan emphasized that it is important to pay more attention to this area because so far investment in Indonesia has tended to be concentrated on the island of Java. The investment potential in Eastern Indonesia, especially Papua, is very large. He said that the abundance of natural resources (SDA) combined with the vast territory in the region means that the government wants to encourage regions in the eastern part to get better investment development opportunities.
Then, the Government through the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs emphasized its commitment to accelerate development in Papua and other eastern regions in Indonesia. Deputy for Domestic Coordination at the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Major General TNI Heri Wiranto, who was accompanied by a young figure from Papua, Pascal Norotow, said that the Government continues to strive to accelerate infrastructure development in Papua and improve the welfare of the people in the region. This step is part of the commitment to ensure equitable development throughout Indonesia. According to him, Papua is a priority on the national development agenda, and the Government will continue to work hard to ensure that the Papuan people feel the positive impact of various programs that have been and will be implemented.
Since the publication of Presidential Instruction (Inpres) Number 9 of 2017 concerning the Acceleration of Welfare Development in Papua Province and West Papua Province, the development of Papua and West Papua has increasingly become the Government’s attention. Increasing access and quality of basic services as well as economic development through the downstreaming of superior commodities continues to be carried out.
From the various efforts that have been made, at a macro level, development achievements in the Provinces of Papua and West Papua have improved, which can be seen, among other things, from the improvement in the Human Development Index (HDI), improvement in Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP), and the decline in poverty rates. and open unemployment, according to data from the Central Statistics Agency. These macro development achievements are also supported by intensive integrated sectoral development.
Development in Papua must be carried out more massively in order to create continuity in meeting the needs of the current generation and ensuring the needs of future generations. Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Jhon Wempi Wetipo, said that Papua’s development needs to pay attention to many things, one of which is the local context by considering natural sustainability and local wisdom which are the keys to success in developing Papua in the future.
President Jokowi’s success in developing infrastructure in Papua has become strong capital for Papua to continue to develop and reach its maximum potential. Development in Papua during the era of President Jokowi has brought major changes that should be appreciated. Massive infrastructure, increased accessibility, and social programs targeting the welfare of the Papuan people are concrete manifestations of the Government’s commitment.
)* The author is a Papuan student living in Yogyakarta
