The Special Autonomy Fund Helps Development in Papua and West Papua

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) set a special autonomy fund (autonomy) for the Papua and West Papua Provinces of IDR 7.8 trillion. The stipulation was contained in the 2021 State Revenue and Expenditure Budget Draft, which was previously IDR7.6 trillion.
 
In accordance with the mandate of the law, the allocation of the Special Autonomy Fund for the Provinces of Papua and West Papua is equivalent to two percent of the total National General Allocation Fund (DAU) ceiling and is valid for 20 years.
 
The Special Autonomy Fund is also directed to finance the development and maintenance of infrastructure, empowerment of the people's economy, poverty alleviation, as well as education, social and health funding.

"The Special Autonomy Fund has been helping indigenous Papuans, helping to build Papua, especially from the budget side it continues to increase," said the chairman of the Jayapura City DPRD, Abisai Rollo, during a Webinar, 'Jokowi and the Papua Special Autonomy Fund', Tuesday afternoon, August 25. 2020.
 
Abisa suggested that in order to be more optimal in terms of use, a special institution that manages funds should be created. If not, it is hoped that the regional government that receives the funds will actually use it according to its designation so that the benefits are truly felt by the Papuan people.
 
Abisai explained that what has been good from the implementation of Otsus must be maintained. He hopes that the special autonomy funds can actually be directed to traditional villages, indigenous Papuans.
 
Native Papuans who want to study both at home and abroad can find it easy. If necessary, create a special hospital with special autonomy funds so that residents no longer have to pay expenses if they are sick.
 
"If it is good, proceed with the system. If it is not good, a special body can be formed," he said.

The Chairperson of the For Papua MPR RI and DPD RI Papua member, Yorrys Raweyai, added that the Special Autonomy funds received by Papua were the result of political struggles so that these funds had to be on target and provide benefits to indigenous Papuans.
 
He encouraged all parties, the golden generation of Papua, to equalize perceptions in order to make the best contribution to the land of Papua and also to the country.
 
Special Autonomy was achieved from an extraordinary political situation, in order to produce a win-win solution, that the state is present and gives more attention to Papua, through special regulatory instruments and budget support with a focus on improving the quality of life, health, education, local-based economy, to infrastructure.
 
Through the Special Autonomy Fund, education funds are almost double the stipulated amount, reaching 37 percent. Likewise the health budget to increase life expectancy.
 
"The special autonomy fund is needed and necessary, just to implement it through affirmation action so that it can be felt and maximized. Special autonomy was not a gift but a long struggle and was resolved through affirmative politics, ”said Yoris.
 
Meanwhile, the Ambassador and Senior Pamong Papua, Michael Manufandu, explained that the policy of special autonomy funds that continued in the Jokowi era also indicated the real commitment and support of the central government to Papua. Moreover, from the budget side since the beginning, it has continued to increase.
 
Michael said, in terms of political decisions, the willingness to support Otsus is still running and still being increased. Even before becoming two Provinces, regions in Papua have also received a General Allocation Fund (DAU) and a Special Allocation Fund (DAK), as well as a deconcentration fund, which is distributed to each regional government. Staying at the regional government level really maximizes the use of funds.
 
With the authority of autonomy, areas, said Michael, can manage various needs, affairs, policies in all sectors so that local communities can prosper. So, it should have been, if there were problems such as people who were starving or sick, they should no longer be able to point to the center because those problems were fully under the authority of the regional government which had already received various financial support.
 
Therefore, there needs to be an understanding, a common vision between the regional centers, so that the benefits of the Special Autonomy Fund can truly be felt, especially for the education and health sectors.
 
"If the regent receives funds for the improvement of the kampung kampung, it will be done because there is an authority. Do not let Otsus money run wild everywhere, here and there, because it still needs supervision. There are still weaknesses, the funds are given and cannot be controlled. For example, in a district with a population of 15 tribes, it will receive Rp1 trillion in funds. If it is managed properly, there will be no hungry people, "explained Michael.