AMP Supports Papua Special Autonomy with Special Notes

Since 2001 Papua and West Papua have received special autonomy status (Otsus). Papua through Law No. 21/2001 and West Papua through Law No. 35/2008.

In addition to accelerating and catching up with development from other regions, the spirit of establishing the status of Otsus is the granting of the widest possible authority to local governments to formulate, compile and design development strategies needed by local communities or indigenous Papuans so that their rights are protected.

It has been almost two decades since the special autonomy status policy has been implemented. The government also guarantees that the special autonomy is not lost, only an evaluation of improvements is carried out, so that the people of Papua and West Papua will truly experience it.

"Now it is being evaluated again, not ending, as long as the law is not repealed, it will continue to be canceled. The state is given special authority, but its implementation needs to be thoroughly evaluated, ”said Malkin, in a discussion held at Japri Coffee, Tangsel.

"Until today, there has been no real openness, either the provincial government, district governments, regarding the implementation of both the policy on absorption of funds, as well as welfare," said Malkin again.

The special autonomy provided by the government is likened to flowing water, but it does not reach the community completely, is it because there is a leak in the middle of the road, so it needs to be straightened out. Therefore, it is hoped that there will be no need for suspicion from the regions.

Now, now, said Ujang Rahmat Mokan, a Papuan academic, is the right time for an evaluation to be better in the future. He encouraged community groups to sit together so that what the state mandates will actually have a positive impact from the economic and welfare side. If there is rejection, it is normal, because the implementation of Otsus still needs improvement.

"If it has not been of great benefit to society, in the future, what should the repairs be like," he said.

He hopes that there will be a comprehensive evaluation from the provincial government because the special autonomy policy funds are managed by the provincial government. From there it can be seen, whether executed, carried out, with the right target. Do not let the egos appear from each other so that the communication between the district government and the provincial government does not go well, which ultimately hinders the implementation of Otsus.

"This needs to be fixed in the future," said Mokan who is familiarly called.

According to Rajid Patiran, Secretary General of the Papua Student Alliance (AMP), assessed that even if there are still obstacles, refusal issues will arise because in fact the most important thing right now is to build economic prosperity, infrastructure, humanize Papuans, so that they can sit equally low. standing at the same height.

"Therefore, the special autonomy funds and development in Papua and West Papua must harmonize human resource development and physical and infrastructure development," he added.

Moreover, said Rajid, there would be a Presidential Instruction (Inpres) related to the acceleration of development policies and the welfare of Papua. Therefore, all elements need to sit together, so that the special autonomy is better. What the central government hopes will be supported by regions.

"It is necessary to create a forum for joint dialogue, solidify it, and do not form your own group and then come to the Center and speak according to their own interests so as to confuse state policy makers," he said.

On the same occasion, Rajid also added, special autonomy needs to be evaluated so that policies at the provincial to district level can be uniform because dualism often occurs so that budgets cannot be executed at the district level. This happened because districts often did not have access to the special autonomy policy.

One of the indicators, said Rajid, is the welfare index in Papua, which is still low which indicates that special autonomy has not been optimal in responding to welfare. Therefore, in the future, it is necessary to establish a clear mechanism, who will distribute the special autonomy funds, how to evaluate the supervision, and discuss it carefully between the central government and the provincial government.

"If it is left unchecked, uncontrolled, there will be their own initiative, it must be controlled," said Rajid who also answered all the questions.

Rajid also added his response regarding Benny Wenda's provisional presidential declaration, he considered that the government and all state apparatus, both the TNI and Polri, should take a firm stance against those who have personal interests outside the interests of the Republic of Indonesia.

"Don't let the public be provoked by that," Rajid concluded.