goodmorningpapua.com – Papua Province has now been divided into 4 provinces. The three New Autonomous Regions (DOBs) resulting from region division of the main province of Papua are Central Papua Province, South Papua Province and Papua Pegunungan Province.
A Papuan traditional leader, Nulce Oktovianus Monim, said that the presence of the three new autonomous regions could reduce the potential for corruption or misappropriation of state finances, as so far has happened in the main province.
“I think one of the policies that the central government has implemented is about a new autonomous region. Maybe Central Papua, South Papua, Mountain Papua, they can develop more quickly, whatever the obstacles. Now that it’s divided like this, law enforcers can focus more so that I think there’s no more corruption,” said Oktavianus.
For him, the formation of the three new autonomous regions almost coincided with the implementation of Volume Two of Special Autonomy (Otsus) for Papua. This will make it easier for the Central Government to supervise regional officials throughout the land of Papua in terms of managing the Special Autonomy funds. So that cases of misuse of Special Autonomy funds that have occurred so far will not be repeated in the new Special Autonomy era.
What is also important to pay attention to in the era of Special Autonomy Volume Two, he said, is assistance from the Central Government to the administrators of the Special Autonomy funds. “There must still be assistance from the central government to the regions, so that every regional official, both bureaucrats and legislators, in carrying out policies must have a balance, there are rules,” said Oktavianus.
“The assistant will remind you that this is against the rules so that it does not fall back on indications of corruption, there are signs so that irregularities can be minimized,” he added.
Not only can the problem of corruption be minimized, he continued, but also various superior natural potentials in each new autonomous region will be easier to process and develop to improve the welfare of the local community.
“The national poverty rate shows we (Papua Province) are below the poverty line. This is nonsense. Actually, as soon as there is expansion, this (poverty problem) can be solved,” said Oktavianus.
“The Papuan people will be very prosperous, if we manage natural products, the marine economy, and forest wealth well, maybe the level of welfare of the Papuan people will be extraordinary, exceeding that of other provinces,” he added.
In his view, Otsus is not only about money. But how can the existing Special Autonomy money be managed in such a way by regional officials by involving components of the Papuan community to develop existing natural potentials in raising the level of welfare of Papuans, so that Papuans do not continue to depend on Special Autonomy.
“People who are continuously borne by the state are like people who can’t afford it, there are nursing homes. Papuans must be productive. Manage forests, lakes, seas, so that we don’t have to live in dependence on the Special Autonomy funds,” he concluded.