The Government Continues to Prepare Three New Provinces of Papua from All Aspects Ahead of the 2024 Election

A number of development preparations for the three new provinces in Papua as a result of the policy for the expansion of the New Autonomous Region (DOB) are currently being discussed by the central government together with the DPR. Having previously reviewed the sources of the budget, then the rules for participating in the 2024 General Election. Other aspects and supporting matters continue to be coordinated to support the acceleration of development in the three new regions.

The Central Government Accompanies Three New Provinces Until They Are Effective

One of the encouraging things that can be reported is the assistance from the central government for the three new provinces. This assistance will be carried out from the time it is approved for the next three years. In his statement, the government explained that the three new Papua provinces, namely South Papua Province, Central Papua, and Papua Mountains would be fostered by the central government until the administration was effective. The central government will foster the three provinces for 3 years since their inauguration. The authority of the central government in regulating the province is enshrined in the new autonomous region law, namely Article 18 of the Law on the Province of South Papua, Article 18 of the Law on the Province of Central Papua, and Article 18 of the Law on the Province of Papua Mountains.

Preparation of the Government and DPR for the Expansion of Provinces in the 2024 Election

Until now, the option to adjust the rules in the implementation of the 2024 General Election in three provinces is still being discussed at the DPR and government levels. Member of Commission II of the DPR from the PAN faction, Guspardi Gaus, said that the majority of the factions in Commission II of the DPR had agreed that President Joko Widodo would sign a Government Regulation in Lieu of Law (Perppu) to regulate elections in the three new provinces in Papua. The issuance of the Perppu is faster than having to revise Law Number 7 of 2017 concerning Elections. In fact, the rules are only needed to fill the void related to the New Autonomous Regions (DOB) in the three provinces in Papua.

Meanwhile, the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam), Mahfud MD, stated that the government is considering making a legal umbrella regarding the 2024 Election following the existence of three Papua New Guineans. Mahfud said that there were a number of points that would be noted, namely the question of the occupancy of legislative representatives at the central level and expansion regions based on the 2024 general election.

The same thing was conveyed by the Executive Director of the Association for Elections and Democracy (Perludem), Khoirunnisa Nur Agustyati that the importance of the existence of a legal umbrella regarding the 2024 Election following the existence of three new autonomous regions in Papua. The existence of this legal umbrella is important to answer certainty regarding the adjustment of several things, such as the number of seats in the DPR RI, the establishment of electoral districts, and provisions for the existence of management and political party offices in all provinces in verification as election participants. Certainty about the addition of seats in the DPR RI which needs to be determined by the government in the legal umbrella for elections following the existence of three Papua New Guineans. The government needs to ensure whether or not there are additional seats in the DPR RI, considering that the Election Law states that each province gets a minimum of three allotted seats. The government needs to provide certainty whether political parties in verification as election participants must also have management and offices in the three Papua New Guineans.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, John Wempi Wetipo, stated that the definitive governor who would later lead the three new provinces in Papua would be elected in the 2024 Pilkada. He hoped that the community would support the development of the three new provinces. Therefore, the best thing that currently needs to be done is to support and build a new province for the sake of mutual prosperity. He also invited youth leaders, community leaders, traditional leaders, and religious leaders to work together and unite in building a better Papua so that Papuans would not die in vain on their own land.

KPU's Suggestions to the Government Regarding the Legal Umbrella in Three Papua New Guinea

Responding to a number of preparations made by the government and the DPR regarding the 2024 election in three new provinces, KPU Commissioner for Technical Implementation, Idham Holik, encouraged the government to immediately issue a legal umbrella for elections in the three new autonomous regions of Papua. The KPU will follow up on whatever is ordered by the Election Law regarding the 3 new autonomous regions that have been ratified. However, currently in Law No. 7 of 2017 there are no rules governing the authority of the KPU to follow up in the event of a new autonomous region, as has just happened with the expansion of regions in Papua.

If the election for members of the DPRD for the new autonomous province is to be held, the legal umbrella should be developed in tandem with the arrangement of the electoral district for the election for members of the Regency/City DPRD.

Papuan People's Response to the Ratification of the Expansion of the Province

Until now, it has been observed that the majority of Papuans support the ratification of the provincial expansion policy as an effort to accelerate development and progress between regions in Papua. A number of groups even welcomed the ratification with celebrations filled with hope.

The Deputy Regent of Merauke, H Riduwan, emphasized that there is not a single community in Bumi Anim Ha who rejects the formation of new autonomous regions in Papua, in fact all of them are happy. According to him, South Papua Province was formed to accelerate the development of the Anim Ha customary area.

SOURCE: https://time.online/8212-2/