Papuan Religious Leaders Support New Autonomous Region

The addition of the New Autonomous Region (DOB) for Papua has been officially carried out with the passage of the Papua New Guinea Law, on June 30, 2022. The formation of the Papua New Guinea is an aspiration that has received support from the community, including religious leaders.

For a long time, the Papuan people have longed for additional provinces in their territory. The reason is, if there are only 2 provinces, then it is too far to convey aspirations to the Regional Government, because Papua covers an area of more than 400 KM2. Therefore, several representatives of the Papuan people had an audience with President Jokowi to ask for regional expansion.

The government granted the request of the Papuan people by preparing a New Autonomy Regional Law Plan which was finally approved by the DPR into a law. Currently, the people of Earth of Cendrawasih have 3 new provinces, namely Central Papua Province, Central Highlands Papua, and South Papua. This plan is fully supported by all the people and community leaders.

Reverend Nekies Kogoya, a religious figure from the Dani Tribe, expressed his support for the division of the region. According to him, the addition of new autonomous regions will bring many positive changes, namely development in all fields in Papua. As a result, the people will be more advanced and prosperous. He also expressed loyalty and obedience to Indonesia.

Support from religious leaders is very influential because he is an important person in society. If a religious figure approves of the expansion of the territory, the congregation will automatically follow suit. All Papuan people will support the plan to add a new autonomous region.

The role of religious leaders to support the development of new autonomous regions is very important because of the fact that there are still ordinary citizens who are afraid of adding more provinces. When they are in a state of fear, they are more easily influenced by people who do not like the plan for regional expansion. However, with the support of the priest, the community will be calm and not easily provoked by unscrupulous elements.

Pastor Nekies also appealed to the entire Dani Tribe community, especially those living in the Kali Harapan Nabire Village area, not to be influenced by the action against the new autonomous regions. There are rumors that there will be a demonstration against the division of the territory, on 14 July 2022.

It is hoped that not only the Dani people will follow the advice of Pastor Nekies, but also all Papuans. The reason is, when there is a demonstration it will potentially end up becoming a riot. The fear is that there will be damage to public facilities, and what is even worse is the appearance of injured victims from the people who participated in the demonstration.

Riots and actions against the addition of new autonomous regions must be prevented because the Papua region is more vulnerable. It could be that a demonstration that ends in a brawl will turn into a war between tribes and is very scary because emotional demo participants can use sharp weapons or traditional weapons. Don't let this bad thing happen and take your life.

Papuan religious leaders and community leaders can go directly to the community and prevent opposition to the addition of new autonomous regions. This prevention is mandatory because there could be incitement from unscrupulous elements so that the regional expansion plan fails. Remember that there are still Free Papua Organizations and they are against the addition of new autonomous regions, and it could be that they are deliberately provoking the community to demonstrate.

Religious leaders and community leaders also socialize the benefits if there are additional provinces. The people need to be educated that if there is an expansion of the territory then the community will benefit, because there will be construction of infrastructure and other public facilities.

Support for the addition of new autonomous regions from Papuan religious leaders is very meaningful because it can inspire the ummah and all people on Earth of Cendrawasih to support regional expansion. With public acceptance of this policy, development can continue to be accelerated for the welfare of the people.

SOURCE: https://time.online/8133-2/