Nicko Hans | Papuan Observer
The House of Representatives (DPR) and the Government have just ratified the Revised Law (RUU) on Special Autonomy (Otsus) for Papua through a plenary session of the DPR on Thursday (15/7/2021).
Looking at the contents of the Draft Second Amendment Bill on Law Number 21 of 2001 concerning Special Autonomy for Papua Province, there was a change, one of which was the special autonomy fund which increased by 0.25 percent. Previously, in the old law, Papua’s special autonomy fund was 2 percent. However, after being revised, it was increased to 2.25 percent.
“The increase in funds will be aimed at the development, maintenance and implementation of public services in Papua”
Then, the Special Autonomy funds will also increase for the improvement of the welfare of the Indigenous Papuans and the strengthening of customary institutions, and other matters based on regional needs and priorities in accordance with the provisions of the legislation.
In point 2 letter e it reads, the revenue that has been determined to be used based on implementation performance is 1.25 percent of the national DAU ceiling which is intended for funding for education, health, and community economic empowerment, with a minimum amount of 30 percent for education spending, and 20 percent for education expenditure. percent for health spending.
The chairman of the DPR’s Special Committee (Pansus) on the Papua Special Autonomy Bill, Komarudin Watubun, explained that this was a new governance for the use of special autonomy funds. This, according to him, shows that the Papua Special Autonomy Bill is not solely about the amount of special autonomy funds.
Komarudin explained that the new governance consisted of the disbursement of special autonomy funds through two schemes, namely general revenue and performance-based revenue.
Furthermore, this implementation performance-based revenue stipulates that a minimum of 30 percent is allocated for education, and 20 percent for health. This regulation is a new scheme that is expected to be able to improve education and health in Papua, which will ultimately prosper the indigenous Papuans.
Furthermore, in Article 34 paragraph (3) letter f it is explained that the additional funds for the implementation of Special Autonomy, the amount of which is determined between the Government and the DPR, is carried out based on the proposal of the province in each fiscal year.
The additional funds are intended to finance the development of transportation infrastructure, electricity, clean water, telecommunications, and environmental sanitation.
Article 34 paragraph (8) explains that special revenues in the context of implementing Special Autonomy as referred to in paragraph (3) letter e are intended for all provinces and districts/cities in the Papua region and are valid until 2041.
Meanwhile, Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian on behalf of the government hopes that the increase in the special autonomy fund can accelerate development in Papua, for the welfare of the Papuan people.
The Special Autonomy Fund is expected to accelerate development in Papua, improve the welfare of the Papuan people, and make the results more accountable.
