Wamendagri: 3 new autonomous regions in Papua for the welfare of the Papuan people

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Wamendagri) John Wempi Wetipo emphasized that the formation of 3 New Autonomous Regions (DOB) in Papua is an effort to improve the welfare of indigenous Papuans. Through the formation of the new autonomous regions, the government seeks to accelerate various developments in Papua.
 
This is also part of the implementation of Law (UU) No. 2 of 2021 concerning Special Autonomy (Otsus) for the Papua Province. It is known, at this time 3 new provinces have been formed in Papua, namely South Papua Province, Central Papua, and Papua Mountains.

Wempi explained that the geographical condition of Papua Province is so wide. This makes the pace of development in coastal areas with mountainous areas relatively different. This creates inequality in welfare and infrastructure development in various sectors. Thus, the 3 new autonomous regions are expected to bring about significant changes in Papua.

"Then why today is the government's policy to expand 3 new autonomous regions, this is actually the point is how to accelerate welfare development for Papuans," said Wempi, Wednesday, October 12, 2022.

He said the President had also issued a policy to build road connectivity in Papua so that no more isolated areas. This road access is important, considering that so far mountainous areas rely a lot on aircraft transportation, including when transporting logistics. This condition also has an impact on the high prices of goods in the area. "So (3 new autonomous regions) will also bring about very significant changes, especially in the mountainous region of Papua, which now has its own province," he said.
 
On the other hand, Wempi said that the proposal for the division of Papua had actually been around since 1999. He corrected the notion that the division was the will of the central government. He claimed to have witnessed firsthand the Association of Central Highlands Regents of Papua in 2019 asking the President to expand Papua. This step is believed to be able to open isolated access in the Central Highlands of Papua.

The Ministry of Home Affairs also has a roadmap to accelerate welfare in Papua after the establishment of 3 new autonomous regions. He explained the various efforts made by the Ministry of Home Affairs in supporting the existence of 3 new autonomous regions. This is one of them preparing for the inauguration of the 3 new autonomous regions as well as inaugurating the acting governor.

Wempi invites the Papuan people and all related parties to be involved in the development process. Thus, the community has a sense of responsibility to realize justice in Papua in accordance with the 5th precepts of Pancasila.

SOURCE: https://nasional.tempo.co/read/1644791/wamendagri-3-dob-di-papua-demi-kesejahteraan- Masyarakat-papua