goodmorningpapua.com – The idea of the region division of Papua Province into a number of New Autonomous Regions (DOB), has now been discussed in several draft laws, namely, the Draft Law on the Province of South Papua, the Province of Central Papua and the Province of Papua in the Central Mountains.
A Deputy V of the Presidential Staff Office, Jaleswari Pramodawardhani said the idea of the region division was in line with the president’s directives who wanted a leap in prosperity progress in Papua Province.
“The amendment to the special autonomy law through Law number 2 of 2021, outlines various approaches that can encourage these efforts to achieve prosperity,” said Jaleswari in an online discussion held by the Merdeka Barat 9 Forum (FMB9) with the theme “Regional Expansion for Indigenous Papuans. ” on Monday 27 June 2022.
The first approach, Jaleswari mentions, is from a quantitative perspective. Whereas there was an increase in special revenue from the Special Autonomy Fund from the previous 2% to 2.25% of the national general allocation fund. This includes infrastructure transfer funds and mining revenue sharing funds.
“This emphasizes the politics of the national budget, which is committed to confirming the acceleration of welfare development in Papua,” he said.
The second approach is qualitative. Jaleswari emphasized that the use of Special Autonomy funds was also determined specifically for the minimum presentation of its use in strategic aspects encouraging the welfare development.
“For example, from special allocations for improving the welfare of native Papuans, strengthening traditional institutions, spending on education and health,” she said.
This, said Jaleswari, ensures that the allocation of crucial sectors in welfare development is guaranteed and cannot be compromised.
In terms of accountability, Jaleswari explained, the use of Otsus funds was also regulated to be used by prioritizing the principles of good financial management through supervision. This is carried out in a coordinated manner by the Ministries of non-ministerial government institutions, local governments, the House of Representatives, the Regional Representatives Council, the Supreme Audit Agency and State Universities.
This, added Jaleswari, prevents abuse of the budget because of the implementation of layered supervision and involving many stakeholders. She thought, with the three approaches in amending the special law, it is hoped that the president’s wish for a leap of progress in Papua is achieved.
“I think that with the three approaches to amending the special law, it is hoped that the president’s wish so that the leap of progress in Papua can be achieved and can run in parallel with the implementation of Presidential Instruction No. 9 of 2020 concerning the acceleration of welfare development in Papua Province and West Papua Province,” she added.
On the same occasion, Papuan Local Political Observer, Frans Maniagasi said, the New Autonomous Region of Papua has been fought for for a long time. In his view, historically it can be pulled back in the 1980s.
“There are three things, ok! The first is that this DOB is nothing new. Historically, it has been since the 80s,” said Frans.
At that time, Frans said, three deputy governors were formed based on region, namely 1 in the south, one in the middle and one for the west.
“From the era of Governor Isak Indon to the era of governor Freddy. In the era of Mr. Fredy, Law 45 from 1999 to 2003 was born,” he said.
After the 2001 Special Autonomy Law was issued, Frans added, Megawati Soekarnoputri as the president of Indonesia, accelerated the formation of the province of West Irian Jaya or what is now known as the province of West Papua.
“That’s what we need to know firstly. Second, for us, whatever we do in Papua, the interests of the nation must be prioritized for the sake of national integration,” he said.
Third, continued Frans, is the matter of Government Regulation 106 of 2021 concerning Institutions. In PP 106/2021, he continued, a body was formed, namely the Steering Committee for the Acceleration of Special Autonomy Development, which was directly under the Vice President.
“This institution is the handover, the granting of total authority from the central government to the provinces and municipalities to govern the regions, to administer the regions, and to deal with the people as stated in 106. This must be appreciated,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, a Head of the Papua Province Indigenous Peoples Institution (LMA), Lenis Kogoya, acknowledged that there are pros and cons in the community to the idea of new autonomous regions as dynamic and natural in a democratic country.
However, as an institution protected by the Special Autonomy law, Lenis said, his party is obliged to provide a sense of security to the community while at the same time overseeing the policies and programs of the central government and regional governments.
“According to the articles of association, whether we like it or not, our government’s decisions are still under control. He admits that recently, demonstrations are everywhere in Papua.” This aspiration really never stops. However, we have a commitment to secure the regional situation to be conducive,” he said.
Lenis said that the concept of the division of Papua is indeed different. For the Southern region, almost 20 years of being pushed to become a province. This is a dream to look forward to.
“Meanwhile, in Central Papua, in Timika, there is a war because the province wants to enter,” he said.
Especially for the Central Mountains, he said, it is a bit different. The concept of forming a province is rarely highlighted. However, the community actually emphasizes the division of the Regency.
“Some of these regencies have been asking for expansion for a long time due to geographical reasons and so on. So as soon as the provinces appeared, they also declared that they had to ask for a decree together, because so far they have been demanding the district,” said Lenis.