By: Moses Walker )*
The government continues to maximize the acceleration of development in Papua. In fact, the Government made special regulations to accelerate development in Papua for the realization of people’s welfare.
Ma’ruf Amin as the Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia requested that there be no delay in efforts to accelerate welfare development in Papua. The Vice President hopes that the humanist approach that will be carried out by the TNI to approach the pro-separatist movement can actually be realized.
On the occasion of a limited coordination meeting (Rakor) at the Vice President’s Palace, his party wanted a safe, conducive Papua, so that the welfare development work program could be completed.
The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto, Commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces General Andika Perkasa, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo and Army Chief of Staff General Dudung Abdurachman were present on the occasion.
The coordination meeting focused on discussing and finding solutions to problems related to Papua in a comprehensive and comprehensive manner.
It was stated that the core of the humanist approach was that the TNI security apparatus did not use war as a way to solve the KKB, but embraced the KKB as part of the Indonesian nation.
In addition to the TNI, it also strengthens territorial operations by involving the Kodim, the Babinsa Koramil as the spearhead in the field to approach the welfare of Indigenous Papuans (OAP).
Furthermore, Ma’ruf said that currently the government already has a strong legal basis to realize welfare development in Papua. It’s just a matter of how the implementation of the affirmative development policy in the field will have to be strengthened.
Ma’ruf Amin also reminded that the acceleration of Papua’s welfare development must be carried out comprehensively, involving all sectors in Ministries/Agencies and local governments.
Including all elements in Papua, such as community leaders, traditional leaders, religious leaders, women’s leaders, youth, all of them. So that the acceleration of welfare development in Papua can show results.
In particular, the Vice President asked the relevant ministers to resolve some pressing issues in Papua, such as accelerating the election of the Deputy Governor of Papua and preparing for regional expansion in Papua.
In a press opportunity after chairing the meeting, the Vice President also emphasized that the government will accelerate the process of expansion of development in the Papua region, particularly in infrastructure development and the realization of strategies using the regional approach method.
He said that later the team would accelerate the division of regions in Papua to accelerate development, including the fulfillment of steps to build various infrastructures, both security infrastructure, institutions, so that efforts for a more perfect territorial approach can be implemented.
Previously, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD said that the proposal for the formation of a new autonomous region (DOB) for Papua could be carried out by considering the acceleration of development and people’s welfare. And for the national interest and strengthen the Unitary Republic of Indonesia.
Mahfud said that the proposed establishment of a new autonomous region (DOB) for Papua could be carried out by considering the acceleration of development and the welfare of the people and society as well as maintaining a positive image of Indonesia in the eyes of the international community.
Mahfud said this in the opportunity to discuss the mandate of Law Number 2 of 2021 regarding the second amendment to Law Number 21 of 2001 concerning Special Autonomy for the Papua Province. Where in article 76 it is mandated that the formation of new autonomous regions in Papua can be carried out bottom up or top down. Mahfud explained that there were many aspirations that developed in the community for the formation of new autonomous regions in Papua.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Home Affairs, Tito Karnavian, revealed that there were several proposals regarding the expansion of Papua and West Papua. The expanded areas include Tabi Saireri Papua Province, Central Mountains Province, South Papua Province, Central Papua Province, and Southwest Papua Province.
Tito assessed that the consideration of the proposed expansion was due to the vast area and the need for acceleration of development in Papua, as well as efforts to strengthen the territorial integrity of Indonesia.
The main root of the problem of security disturbances in the Papua region is economic problems, so the expansion is one of the efforts to accelerate development and simplify the bureaucracy.
Important things that need attention are geographical conditions, the area of Papua, coastal areas, mountainous areas, regional isolation, demographic conditions.
Papua and West Papua are sovereign territories of the Republic of Indonesia, so development in the Papua region must receive special attention from the government so that Papuans become more prosperous.
)* The author is a Papuan student living in Gorontalo
