Thanks to Special Autonomy, Many Young Papuans are Schooling Abroad

Special autonomy (Otsus) for Papua and West Papua is considered as the state's recognition of Papua as a region that has special characteristics. It can be interpreted that the state respects indigenous peoples and their traditional rights as long as they are alive, which is embedded in the framework of the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia.

"The special autonomy that is being carried out is also the translation of the constitution," said Moksen Idris Sirfefa, Institutional Expert at the Papua Desk of the National Development Planning Agency.

Moksen explained, Otsus is a political decision between Papua and the central government, which is mutually beneficial, by being implemented rationally, moderately, democratically, as part of the middle way. Even if there is a shortage, then both parties can sit together.

At present, there is a misunderstanding, as if Otsus will end in 2021, even though it will continue and be improved for the welfare of the Papuan people. The misunderstanding of Otsus is also because it is only assessed in terms of money or budget.

"Special Autonomy is not only about money, there are many related things, starting with institutions, authority, human resources, many things, and all of that for Papua," he said.

Therefore, although there are still shortcomings, it would be better for the regional government to make good use of the implementation of Otsus because it is guaranteed by the constitution. Another thing, from the Bappenas study, as well as the study conducted internally by the Papua regional government, if the special autonomy funds later stopped, it would disrupt the fiscal capacity of the two provinces in Papua, reaching 60 percent.

So far, the special autonomy funds have been quite helpful and beneficial for health education, infrastructure and affirmation of indigenous Papuans, which through the special autonomy funds are also used to finance the Papuan People's Assembly. So, he invited all parties in Papua to really study it so that there would be no misperceptions.

"There are policies in the implementation of successful and unsuccessful ones, which are successfully improved if the corrections are not successful. The way to look at Otsus must be carefully, really examine all the consequences," he said.

Jimmy Demianus Ijie, Member of the Indonesian House of Representatives from the PDIP Perjuangan faction, said that in order for the implementation of autonomy to be truly optimal, the government needs to treat the Papuan people with full dignity by giving full authority to administer autonomy. Therefore, he advised the government to also learn from other countries such as Italy in granting special autonomy.

"Papuans ask to be treated with dignity, they should be respected, give authority to manage their autonomy. The government seems to have no clear stance, on the one hand the final legal part of Indonesia, on the other hand there are doubts about being afraid to let go, this is because the approach to Papua is not with heart, but with caution, "he said.