OTSUS BUILD BETTER PAPUA

The DPR RI has ratified the second revision of Law Number 21 of 2001 concerning Special Autonomy for Papua on July 15, 2021.

The revised Papua Special Autonomy Law has amended or revised 18 articles consisting of 3 articles proposed by the government, and 15 articles outside the government's proposal. Apart from these 18 articles, the Special Committee and the government also agreed on the addition of 2 articles in the Papua Special Autonomy Bill, bringing the total articles in the bill to 20 articles.

There are several changes to the articles resulting from the second revision of the Special Autonomy Law that accommodate specific arrangements for Papuan Indigenous People (OAP) in the fields of politics, education, health, employment and the economy as well as providing support for the development of indigenous peoples.

There has been a change in the political field with the expansion of political roles for OAP in membership in the Regency/City House of Representatives. So the seats of the OAP were not filled from political parties, and affirmed 30 percent of the women's element.

The fields of education and health are changing. In addition, in the field of employment and the economy, there have been changes where in carrying out economic efforts in Papua, it is mandatory to prioritize Papuan Papuans who meet the educational requirements to be recruited into the workforce.

It was also conveyed that there was an increase in spending on assistance for the empowerment of indigenous peoples and special autonomy funds, which increased by 0.25 percent. Including the division of the province in Papua which has been given facilities.

Secretary of the Land Office of Sorong City, Abner Jitmau, said that the presence of Otsus Papua had an impact on the acceleration of overall development in Papua. However, culturally and socially, it has not been optimally touched, because it is necessary to improve the harmony of customary values ​​with the Special Autonomy Law.

“There are pros and cons regarding the revision of Otsus Papua, due to the issue that the Papuan people have not fully accepted Otsus. This is a provocation that does not correspond to reality. Otsus has had an impact on development in Papua, with the revision of Otsus, it should provide input, not reject it," he said

"I really hope that in the future Otsus can continue to be more optimal and in the revision process OAP can be actively involved and aspirations can be channeled properly. In addition, it will urge the community to play an active role in supporting the sustainability of Otsus Papua," he concluded

SOURCE: https://melanesianinfo.com/otsus-menbangun-papua-menjadi-better/