Lenny T. | Papuan Observer
Home Affairs Minister Muhammad Tito Karnavian said the government would revise the Special Autonomy Law or Otsus Papua. From the revision of the law, there will be a new province on the island of Papua. The province is called South Papua which consists of four districts.
According to Tito, the revision of the Papua Special Autonomy Law was carried out because there were specifics for the aspirations of the people regarding the expansion of the South Papua Province in order to accelerate development.
“The revision of the Papua Special Autonomy Law aims to accelerate development according to the ideals of the Government of President Joko Widodo”
With this plan, Merauke can be divided into South Papua Province even though there are only four districts because of the specificity for Papua.
Tito said that South Papua Province includes Merauke Regency, Boven Digoel Regency, Mappi Regency and Asmat Regency. The capital city is Merauke.
Tito explained that initially the Bintang Mountains Regency wanted to join the expansion area of South Papua Province. However, in his consideration, the Bintang Mountains region chose to join the aspirations for the expansion of Saireri because it was close to Jayapura.
With the new rules, said the former National Police Chief, the four regencies in the South Papua region can form their own provinces. He added that according to the direction of the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, his party discussed and prepared a Government Regulation with a deadline of October 19.
Furthermore, it was rounded up again by hearing the aspirations of the people from below. Therefore, the former Papuan Police Chief said that all components, especially community leaders in the South Papua region, must unite.
In addition, they are also asked to make a written statement, which will then be submitted to President Joko Widodo or Jokowi. Furthermore, Tito believes that South Papua Province will be the most developed province in Papua. This is because the area has tremendous agricultural and fishery potential.
Merauke region has extraordinary agricultural and fishery potential. Supported by adequate human resources, he believes that South Papua Province in the future will become the most advanced province in Papua.
In this way, it is hoped that the equality of development between the regions in Java and Papua can be balanced. Not only that, the Papuan people will feel a variety of positive benefits from regional expansion in the South Papua Province.
