Accelerated Development in Papua through Regional Expansion

The division of the Papua region has been a polemic since several months ago. A number of circles are of the opinion that the expansion should be rejected because it makes the burden of bureaucracy and corruption increase. In fact, the division is considered unable to solve human rights problems in Papua. Meanwhile, some parties feel that the division of Papua is capable of accelerating development while maintaining the security situation.

Despite the rejection, a number of parties supported steps to carry out expansion. Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) Tito Karnavian, for example, assessed that the expansion of a number of regions in Papua was carried out to accelerate development. In addition, the security situation in Papua will also be maintained.

"We are talking about the issue of national unity and unity. Most importantly the speed in order to accelerate development. The problem in Papua is the most important economic problem, I was a former police chief there for two years. So if the economy accelerates in West Papua, the economy accelerates, we will also see violence directly decreasing, ”said Tito, quoted by BeritaSatu.

Tito said, when visiting Papua some time ago, the Papuan people had indeed expressed their hope that there would be expansion while maintaining the security situation there. The aspirations of South Papua, Central Papua and Central Papua were discussed.

"Well, what is already rounded up, meaning that under South Papua itself, they ask," said Tito.

According to Tito, Papua Governor Lukas Enembe agreed to the South Papua talks.

"With the existing budget constraints, there can only be a maximum of two, namely South Papua, the governor is willing, and the regents also willing, the aspirations are strong there. We will synchronize the central mountains first, ”added Tito.

Similar was expressed by Menkopolhukam Mahfud MD. Reported by VOA, he said the aspirations for the expansion of the Papua region were conveyed by the Papuan people when meeting with President Joko Widodo.

Mahfud himself considered that the expansion plan was correct.

"That there are those who disagree, it's normal. There must be those who disagree, right now it has not been split. But it seems that the expansion effort is right, "explained Mahfud MD.

Mahfud also stated that the government and the DPR have one vote on the division of the province of South Papua. He accused people who disagreed with the expansion plan were people who wanted Papua to be independent from the Republic of Indonesia.

"The difference is, people who are 'quotes' want Papua to be independent," Mahfud added.

In fact, as reported by JPNN, a researcher from the Papua and Foreign Policy Team at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Adriana Elisabeth, assessed that Papua deserves to be expanded because of its very wide area coverage.

According to him, with a very wide area coverage, Papua is not sufficient to be controlled by only two provinces.