Suha Watimena | Researcher
Building Papua means building Indonesia. That is a statement that the Indonesian government is very concerned about continuing to improve development, especially the development of Papua. After several developments that have been and are being carried out by the state to Papua, the government is now planning to develop Papua again in the next few years.
The People’s Consultative Assembly of the Republic of Indonesia (MPR RI) held a joint Hearing Meeting with the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) on Tuesday, September 22, 2020, virtually. The meeting discussed the grand design of the accelerated development of the Papua region in the context of the revision of Law no. 21/2001 on special autonomy for the provinces of Papua and West Papua.
In his presentation, Papua nationally is the target of development objects because the agenda of the President of the Republic of Indonesia is to develop Indonesia from the periphery, including Papua. Not only that, but development is also based on the Affirmative Policy in the 2015-2019 RPJMN and 2020-2024 RPJMN.
In the regional context, Papua is still experiencing some problems, such as the poverty rate in Papua, the highest 26.55% in Indonesia and West Papua around 21.51% (2019) with the lowest HDI Papua in Indonesia at 60.84 (2019), many dynamics social politics and local security; not yet optimal utilization of Natural Resources; still weak management in the implementation of Special Autonomy as well as an indication of high Expenses.
Therefore, amendments to Law No. 21 of 2001 will focus on protecting the Basic Rights of Indigenous Papuans (Protection), recognition of the identity of the Papuan people (Recognition), alignment of development for Indigenous Papuans (Affirmation), accelerating development (Acceleration), equitable distribution. Fair Development (Redistribution), representation of Indigenous Papuans in Various Sectors (Representation), and efforts to make Papua a Land of Peace (Reconciliation).
Based on the above problems, Bappenas formulates performance indicators for the 2020-2030 period with several targets including;
increased HDI, increased competence of indigenous Papuans in all fields, reduced poverty, increased economic growth, the growth of new economic centers in 7 customary areas, decreased levels of expensive, maintained a sustainable living environment, and the development of an inclusive, safe and peaceful social life.
This is stated in 13 major projects to be implemented in Papua, namely:
- Priority Tourism Destination: Raja Ampat
- Industrial Estates outside Java and Smelters: KI Teluk Bintuni
- New Town Development: Sorong
- National Strategic Activity Center: PKSN Jayapura, PKSN Merauke
- Customary Territories of Papua: WA La Pago, WA Domberay
- Acceleration of reduction in maternal mortality and stunting
- Integrated Main Port Network
- Power plant 27,000 MW, transmission 19,000 KMS, and substation 9. Main 38,000 MVA
- Air Bridge 37 Routes in Papua
- Trans roads on 18 Disadvantaged, Outermost, and Frontier Islands
- Trans Papua Merauke-Sorong Road
- Access to piped drinking water
- Access to proper and safe domestic sanitation (wastewater) (90% of households).
With these developments, it is hoped that the improvement of the Papuan economy will accelerate and the Papuan people will be more prosperous. Therefore, all parties must support this development and reject negative suggestions that hinder the achievement of Papuan development.
