Papuan Communities Compactly Support Continued Special Autonomy Funds

A number of community groups in Papua and West Papua are looking forward to the continuation of Special Autonomy (Otsus) volume II.

They feel the positive impact of Otsus which has been running for the last 20 years.

They have flocked to support the continuation of Otsus through a number of actions held in recent times. They are united in stating that Otsus is very much needed by the native people of Bumi Cenderawasih.

"We, the heads of Indigenous Peoples' Institutions (LMA) throughout Sorong Raya, support the government's policy to continue Otsus in West Papua for the sustainable development and future of the indigenous Papuan youth," said the representative of the LMA Chair, Cornelis Usili.

LMA leaders throughout Sorong Raya appealed to all indigenous Papuans not to be influenced by invitations or provocation from irresponsible parties.

The relevant stakeholders are expected to immediately ensure the continuation of Otsus.

Similar support was also conveyed by the Chairperson of the Lanny Jaya Regency LMA, Papua Yele Wenda and the LMA Representative from the Fakfak Regency, West Papua, Fabianus Valentinus Kabes.

Fabianus emphasized that Otsus should continue to side with indigenous Papuans.

"I on behalf of the indigenous people of Fakfak Regency say that I support Otsus, which God willing, will be programmed and followed up by the Central Government, which basically must continue to side with indigenous Papuans," said Fabianus.

According to Fabianus, development in various fields before Otsus was very slow.

However, after the existence of Otsus, the community felt a lot of progress, including Fakfak.

"Hopefully in the future this program will continue and maybe there are deficiencies fixed, so that we can still exist within the Republic of Indonesia. Papua is Indonesia, and Indonesia without Papua is not Indonesia," said Fabianus.

Also a group of people and leaders staged an action in Jayawijaya Regency, Papua.

The action led by the Chairperson of the Papua and West Papua Province PEPERA Deliberative Council Alex Silo Karno Doga and the Chairperson of LMA Jayawijaya Karlos Huby considered that Otsus was the best solution.

"Special Autonomy is the best solution. Support the DPR RI session. Continue," said Alex.

Even the people located around the border of Papua and Papua New Guinea, Skouw Sae Village, Jayapura, Papua have firmly stated their support. They believe that Otsus can increase progress in the Land of Papua.

"I am Aser Lanta, a leader of the Skouw Sae community, along with all the people of Skouw Sae, ready to support Otsus volume II for the advancement of Papua," said Aser.

However, other parties hope that improvements to Otsus will come. Among other things, related to the supervision of the realization of the Special Autonomy fund so as not to deviate or be misused by unscrupulous parties.

In addition, there was also resistance to the discourse on Otsus being continued. Member of the Regional Representative Council (DPD) RI from Papua, Yorrys Raweyai, assessed the pros and cons of Otsus because there are things that need to be evaluated regarding the implementation of Otsus so far.

Yorrys reminded the importance of guidance and supervision so that this special autonomy is truly felt by the local community to its full potential. However, Yorrys emphasized that Otsus cannot just be rejected.

"As long as the law's product is not repealed by the state, it will continue the process," said Yorrys.

Yorrys mentioned that the Papua Special Autonomy Fund will end in 2021. Yorrys hopes that the revision of the Special Autonomy Law and its discussion can accommodate and consider input from all parties.

The DPR has formed a Special Committee (Pansus) to revise Law Number 21 of 2001 on Papua's Special Autonomy. Deputy Chairman of the DPR, Azis Syamsuddin, hopes that the Special Committee, which is led by Komarudin Watubun, can complete the revision this year.

SOURCE: https://www.tribunnews.com/nasional/2021/04/02/sejotal-kel grup-masyarakat-papua-kompak-dukung-dana-otsus-dil continued