Observer: Papuan students must be part of the solution

Observer of Papua and strategic issues Imron Cotan said that the younger generation of Papua who are now studying at universities must be part of the solution to solve various problems on Earth of Cenderawasih.

"Indigenous Papuan students (OAP) must be part of the solution, not part of the problem. The trick is to study hard. After graduating, return to the Land of Papua to help build their home region, welcome a brighter future, leave the past disputes," said Imron Cotan in a statement received in Jakarta, Wednesday.

Imron assessed that students have a very important role for a better future for Papua.

The government's affirmative policy has opened up great opportunities for intellectuals or students to achieve a bright future, among others through job opportunities offered by the government and scholarships.

The expansion of new autonomous regions will also open up great opportunities for students.

After the study period, the youth can serve as formal and informal leaders in their respective areas.

"Mental switches are indeed needed so that OAP students have the determination to put themselves as part of the solution," said the former Indonesian Ambassador to Australia.

The chairman of the Papuan Land Deliberative Council Forum, Frans Ansanau and two prominent OAP students, named Charles Kossay and Malkin Kosefa, attended and provided enlightenment to around 50 OAP students from the Greater Jakarta area who attended the workshop.

They also welcomed President Joko Widodo's affirmative policies, including the application of a territorial approach in dealing with separatist groups in Papua.

The two OAP student figures agreed that the Papua problem was in the Land of Papua, not the central government.

"What is important is how to eliminate the current PTP (Papua Tipu Papua) practices. This is something that the central government needs to address, among others, by bringing order to regional heads," said Kosefa.

SOURCE : https://www.antaranews.com/berita/2722485/pengamat-mahasiswa-papua-harus-jadi-part-dari-solution