Lukas Mambraku | Papuan Observer
The revision of Law (RUU) Number 21 of 2001 concerning Special Autonomy (Otsus) for Papua which will be discussed by the DPR and the government regulates the increase in the ceiling of the special autonomy fund allocation to 2.25 percent. This increase in funds is contained in Article 34 paragraph 3 letter e of the Papua Special Autonomy Bill.
This special autonomy fund allocation has increased by 0.25 percent to 2.25 percent compared to the Papua Special Autonomy fund for the last 20 years which was only 2 percent.
The 2.25 percent revenue from the Special Autonomy Fund is divided into two. First, general revenue, whose nominal value is equivalent to 1 percent of the ceiling of the national general allocation fund. The two receipts are predetermined on a performance basis. The nominal value is equivalent to 1.25 percent of the ceiling of the national general allocation fund. The use of these funds is prioritized for the education and health sectors.
The special autonomy fund allocation for Papua will be valid for 20 years from the time the draft bill is passed or takes effect. In other words, the Special Autonomy Fund will be valid until the next 2041 if this bill is passed by the DPR and the government this year.
The Special Autonomy Bill Article 34 Paragraph 8 also stipulates that the central government has the authority to distribute the Otsus funds to provinces and districts / cities in the Papua region. This division takes into account various aspects, including the population, area, number of districts / cities, as well as the level of development achievement.
The Special Autonomy Bill also regulates that the Ministries, Non-Ministerial Government Institutions and the Regional Government of Papua Province carry out guidance and supervision of the management of budget revenues for the implementation of Special Autonomy in a coordinated manner.
“Changes in funds and clarity of authority strengthen the basis of autonomy especially for Papua volume II”
Efforts to develop and supervise the implementation of Papua Special Autonomy will be regulated by government regulations (PP). This provision was not previously included in the Papua Special Autonomy Law Number 21 of 2001 concerning Otsus for Papua Province.
It is known, the Draft Law on Amendments to Law Number 21 of 2001 concerning Special Autonomy for Papua Province has been agreed upon by the DPR Legislative Body and the Ministry of Law and Human Rights to enter into the national legislation program (Prolegnas).
The various changes above show the seriousness of the Central Government in evaluating and improving Papua’s Special Autonomy to make it more targeted. The government realizes that to provide broader benefits, it is not only done through increasing the Papua Special Autonomy budget, but also by providing clarity on the authority of the Regional Government and related ministries / agencies.
With synchronization efforts like this, all resources allocated to Papua’s development can be well coordinated and realized. This policy shows the real concern of the Government to make the sustainability of Otsus Papua better than before.
