The Importance of Papuan Participation in the Revision of the Papua Special Autonomy Law

 

Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, Ma'ruf Amin stated that he would thoroughly evaluate the governance of the Papua and West Papua special autonomy funds (Otsus) so that it targets effectively for development and improving the welfare of the Papuan people.

Apart from evaluating, Ma'ruf said that his party would compile a new design and way of working in implementing the accelerated development program in Papua. He said he had held a Steering Board meeting for the Integrated Team for the Acceleration of Welfare Development in Papua and West Papua Provinces some time ago.

Currently under the coordination of Bappenas as the National Secretariat for the Integrated Team, an inventory and consolidation of data, work programs, and budget allocations for ministries, agencies and the Papua Regional Government is being carried out to ensure accuracy, adequacy and effectiveness of budgets and synchronization between Ministries, Agencies and Local Governments.

Ma'ruf also promised to invite dialogue and consultations with all components of society in Papua regarding the Otsus policy. Moreover, the Papua Special Autonomy policy volume I will end in 2021.

Ma'ruf plans to take a cultural approach through dialogue with various strategic partners in Papua. Such as traditional leaders, religious leaders, educational leaders, regional / bureaucratic leaders, youth and women leaders as strategic partners.

Meanwhile, Member of Committee I DPD RI, Intsiawati Ayus, emphasized that it is important to discuss the Papua Special Autonomy (Otsus) Bill (RUU) to involve indigenous peoples and the Papuan People's Rajelis (MRP).

 

"As a regional representation, DPD RI has an interest in giving the best in the framework of discussing the bill."

The statement shows the similarity of opinion between the two figures above, where the participation of the Papuan people in the discussion of the Revision of the Papua Special Autonomy Law is a must. The government together with related institutions must optimize its role to hear the input and aspirations of the Papuan people regarding the sustainability of Otsus.

With such efforts, the Papuan people will feel that the Government is serious about evaluating the Papua Special Autonomy Law which has been running for the last 20 years. In this way, various propaganda efforts to reject the continuation of the Papua Special Autonomy can be anticipated by the Papuan people themselves.

As is well known, Otsus Papua has had a significant impact on welfare development in Papua. Physical and non-physical development has been shown to increase due to the allocation of special autonomy funds aimed at improving the welfare of the Papuan people.

 

Reno Frederick Wenda

Papuan Observer