Lemmy K. | Papuan Observer
The House of Representatives has ratified the second revision of Law (UU) No. 21 of 2001 concerning Special Autonomy (Otsus) for the Papua Province. The revision aims at equitable development of Papua and improving the welfare of indigenous Papuans (OAP).
According to the chairman of the DPR’s Special Committee (Pansus), Komarudin Watubun, the second revision of the Papua Special Autonomy Law accommodates the need for specific arrangements for OAP in the fields of politics, education, health, employment and the economy. In addition, also to support the development of indigenous peoples.
In the political field, changes can be seen with the expansion of OAP’s political role in the membership of the Regency or City People’s Representative Council (DPRK).
“DPRK is a new nomenclature to replace DPRD”
He added that the second revision also emphasized that the seats for the appointment of DPRK members could not be filled from political parties and the affirmation was 30 percent from women. This affirmation also applies to members of the Papuan People’s Representative Council (DPRP).
Meanwhile, in the field of education and health, the new law also regulates the obligations of the central, provincial, and district/city governments to allocate education and health budgets for OAP.
Meanwhile, in the field of employment and the economy, said Komarudin, Article 38 of the Papua Special Autonomy Bill emphasizes that in carrying out economic activities in Papua, it is obligatory to prioritize OAP. Indigenous Papuan children who meet the educational requirements can be recruited into the workforce.
In the field of empowerment, Article 36 paragraph (2) letter (d) stipulates that 10 percent of the revenue-sharing fund is allocated for expenditure on assistance for the empowerment of indigenous peoples.
Meanwhile, regarding the Papuan People’s Assembly (MRP) and DPRP, Komarudin said the revised Special Autonomy Law also provides legal certainty that the MRP and DPRP are domiciled in the provincial capital.
MRP members may not come from political parties. As for the Special Autonomy funds, the DPR and the government are aware that the issue of Special Autonomy in Papua is not only about the amount of funds. Even though the DPR and the government agree that the special autonomy fund will increase from 2 percent of the National General Allocation Fund to 2.25 percent, the new law introduces a new governance for the use of the special autonomy fund.
The presence of the Special Agency for the Acceleration of Development in Papua (BK-P3). The government and the DPR realize that during the 20 years of Otsus Papua, many programs of various ministries or institutions have not been in sync. BK-P3 can increase the effectiveness and efficiency of Papua’s development.
Meanwhile, a number of figures in Jayapura Regency joined community organizations, youth, women’s leaders, and a number of Nusantara associations to commemorate the 76th Indonesian Independence Day. They stated that they supported the implementation of Special Autonomy for Papua.
Yanto Eluay as one of the traditional leaders in Jayapura Regency said that the 76th Indonesian Independence Day should be grateful for all people in Papua. He also expressed his support for the ratification of Law Number 2 of 2021 concerning the Second Amendment to Law Number 21 of 2001 concerning Special Autonomy for the Province of Papua (Law on the Second Amendment of the Law on Special Autonomy for Papua).
(393 edisi Minggu, 29 Agustus 2021)
