Inpres number 9 of 2020 is the basis of the government’s commitment to solving the root of the problems experienced by the Papuan people. The affirmation step is concreptt.
Starting on September 29, 2020, when President Joko Widodo issued instructions on the Acceleration of Welfare Development in Papua and West Papua Provinces, there were special orders for ministers, the TNI, the National Police, and state institutions, as well as local governments. They are asked to take breakthrough, integrated, precise, focused, and synergistic steps according to their respective tasks, functions and authorities in a coordinated and integrated manner. The goal is to accelerate welfare development in Papua and West Papua.
Next, the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) responded. So far, various roads have also been taken. That, updating the roadmap and sharpening the focus does need to be carried out. That’s also what Bappenas did. Minister of National Development Planning (PPN)/Head of Bappenas Suharso Monoarfa needs to underline that all efforts taken so far have also given tangible results.
“The comprehensive strategy for Papua has been carried out from various perspectives since the era of special autonomy (otsus) in 2001, both taken by the central and regional governments,” he said. The results are concrete. The significant change, according to Minister Monoarfa, is reflected in the decrease in the percentage of poor people, from 54.75 percent in March 1999 to 26.55 percent in September 2019. This was conveyed by the Minister of National Development Planning / Head of Bappenas on the official website of bappenas.go.id recently.
However, in the next development, according to the Head of Bappenas, there is now a design to accelerate welfare development in Papua and West Papua, and it includes seven strategic steps. First, the government agreed that the special autonomy framework in accordance with Law 21/2001 on Special Autonomy for Papua Province is an asymmetric, affirmative, and contextual step in managing development, local government, and public services in the land of Papua.
In the context of sectoral regulatory frameworks to budget frameworks, special autonomy can spark a new spirit of policy formulation that is specific to Papua, both at the central and regional levels. Second, special autonomy has encouraged political decentralization that opens up space for indigenous Papuans (OAP) to participate in local governance. OAP as governor, regent and mayor recognizes cultural specificity through the presence of the Papuan People’s Assembly since 2004, and has formed new districts since 2002 to accelerate services for the Papuan people in remote areas. This means that the authority to manage development has been in the hands of the Papuan people, according to local needs and wisdom.
Third, special autonomy is the government’s guide in the special design of Papua’s accelerated development, through Presidential Instruction number 9 of 2017 concerning the Acceleration of Welfare Development in Papua and West Papua Provinces and most recently, namely Presidential Instruction number 9 of 2020 concerning the same. This Presidential Instruction is evidence of alignment in the context of Papua with a focus on Papuan human resources, the people’s economy from upstream to downstream, integrated regional infrastructure, sustainable development, and better governance.
“The Indonesian government encourages priority activities that are quick wins in various districts/cities according to customary territories and strengthens partnerships with various local figures in various sectors for the implementation of development from 2021 to 2024,” added Minister Suharso.
Fourth, referring to President Joko Widodo’s steps to adopt a cultural and ecological approach in national development planning, both in the 2015-2019 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) and the 2020-2024 RPJMN. The approach of seven customary areas in Papua includes the customary territories of Saireri, Tabi, Laa Pago, me Pago, Animha, Domberai, and Bomberai. The policy strategy and implementation is expected to be in accordance with the needs, aspirations, and local wisdom in Papua and West Papua.
Fifth, the commitment to empower OAP both in the ranks of ministries/agencies, TNI/Polri, and SOEs. In particular, President Joko Widodo issued Presidential Decree number 17/2019 concerning the Procurement of Goods and Services in the Framework of Accelerating Welfare Development in Papua and West Papua. The Presidential Decree encourages the alignment of ministries/agencies and local governments in increasing the capacity of Papuan business actors, including important breakthroughs for OAP entrepreneurs to participate in direct procurement in construction work worth a maximum of Rp1,000,000,000.
In particular, OAP entrepreneurs can also participate in tenders whose participants are limited to Papuan business actors for construction work worth at least above Rp1,000,000,000 and a maximum of Rp2,500,000,000. This affirmative policy is also targeted to create entrepreneurship among OAPs.
Sixth, the government also set Papua Province as the host of PON XX which was postponed to October 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This is a historic moment to awaken the pride and identity of OAP, in addition to driving regional economic equality for all levels of Papuan society. In accordance with the mandate of the President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo, PON is not only a sports competition, but also acts as a common arena to celebrate diversity, strengthen the spirit of brotherhood, and strengthen unity and unity.
PON XX in 2020 which will be held in three cities/regencies, namely Jayapura City, Jayapura Regency, and Mimika Regency, and Merauke Regency as a buffer district will compete in 37 sports (cabor), including aerosport, fencing, badminton, chess, rowing, wrestling, judo, shooting, muaythai, archery, gymnastics, sepak takraw, roller skating, taekwondo, drajat fighting, tennis, boxing, to wushu and several other sports.
Seventh, various approaches, strategies and policies that are holistic and affirmative for Papua are based on ongoing global conditions, both climate change adaptation, disaster resilience, gender and social inclusion, collaborative and open governance, and human security. In this case, several new initiatives were carried out, such as the implementation of the Low Carbon Development Initiative or Low Carbon Development in West Papua, the initiation of Green Economic Growth for Papua, to the development of digital-based villages in Papua and West Papua.
“The government is open to hear various suggestions and inputs from stakeholders to manage development in the Land of Papua. Our common basic principle is the acceleration of humanist, sustainable and inclusive development of Papua, which is oriented towards fulfilling the basic rights of the Papuan people within the framework of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia,” said Minister Suharso.
Author: JS
Travel Vlogger, Journalist,
