goodmorningpapua.com – The Papuan Youth and Student Solidarity (SPMP) held a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) regarding the benefits of the New Autonomous Region (DOB) for the Papuan people. The FGD held in Waena, Tuesday (17/5/2022) raised the theme ‘The Benefits of the New Autonomous Region (DOB) for the Papuan People’ by presenting academics, religious leaders, youth leaders.
A Cenderawasih University lecturer, Dr Basir Rohrohmana, was also present as a speaker at the event with Pdt. Joobs Suebu (Chairman of PGGP Jayapura City), Dr Veronica Pekei (Head of General Hospital Abepura), Yafet Wetipo (Papuan Coffee Entrepreneur), Yops A. Itlay (former Head of BEM Uncen), and dozens of Papuan students.
Dr. Basir Rohrohmana explained the for and against of division with various reasons that were used as references. However, he emphasized that the issue of the expansion of the Papua Province and Regency/City has been discussed in detail in Law No. 2 of 2021 and it is stated that the division can be carried out with the approval of the MRP and the DPRP. “Based on the mandate of the law, the expansion can be carried out after paying serious attention to various aspects, both in terms of socio-cultural unity, readiness of human resources, economic capacity, and future developments. Of course also with the approval of the DPRP and the MRP,” he said.
He explained, the purpose of the division according to the mandate of the law is to accelerate equitable development, improve public services and public welfare, and raise the dignity of the indigenous Papuans. “That’s the goal. Of course also taking into account the political, administrative, legal aspects, socio-cultural unity, readiness of human resources, basic infrastructure, economic capacity, future developments, and/or the aspirations of the Papuan people,” he explained.
Division is not merely carried out without reviewing these aspects. “The division of the provinces and regencies/municipalities as referred to in paragraph (2) is not carried out through the preparatory regional stages as regulated in the Law concerning regional administration. The division must guarantee and provide space for Papuan Indigenous People in political, governmental, economic, and social activities. socio-cultural,” he continued. Meanwhile, a Head of Papuan Youth and Student Solidarity, Nikson Hesegem, said that his party was conducting Focus Group Discussion activities as part of their accountability to the community.
“We have no authority in terms of supporting or rejecting. But we have a responsibility as representatives of the community to provide enlightenment or good thoughts for us to convey to the community as recommendations if in the future the New Autonomous Region (DOB) is ratified,” he said. .
So, he continued, if the new autonomous regions were ratified, his party as the young generation of Papua was ready to work and be placed anywhere in the new autonomous region. “We can only contribute ideas to the community so that they are prepared, not to be spectators in their own country. We must be ready to work and do what can be done for our region,” he said. Yops Itlay as the former Chairman of the Uncen BEM said on that occasion that his party had often taken actions to reject Otsus Volume II.
However, in reality it ran aground because of the power of the government. “My fellow students here, I want to convey that we are all on the same line, namely rejecting Otsus Volume II, but we will see again that so far our demonstrations have asked for Otsus Volume II to be rejected. use their power so that Otsus Volume II is finally continued. Likewise with pemekaran,” said Yops.
He said again, for division, his party asked all Papuan youth and students to think logically. “The new autonomous regions are still going down and where are our positions? I invite us to think logically again that if the expansion of new autonomous regions takes place, which position should we be in? This is what we have to think about. Similar to Otsus Volume II, we rejected it but finally continued again, but where are we at now?” he said.