Support Otsus to Advance Information Technology in Papua

The next 2021 is an important year because there is an extension of the special autonomy program in Papua. Finance Minister Sri Mulyani promised that the nominal amount of the special autonomy fund would be increased. The special autonomy budget will focus on developing IT (information technology) facilities and others.

Special autonomy is a program that makes Papua feel special, because of the government's attention. The form is not only in the form of funds, but also other powers such as governors and officials must be Papuans. There are also privileges for young people on Earth of Cendrawasih. They can enlist in the army through the special autonomy route.

Ahead of the extension of special autonomy, the people in Papua are waiting very carefully. So far, they have enjoyed the special autonomy fund which is a scholarship, so that no children drop out of school. In 2021, the nominal amount of the autonomy fund disbursed will be greater than last year.

Finance Minister Sri Mulyani stated that the special autonomy fund increased by 3.3%. With details, Papua and West Papua Provinces got 7.8 trillion rupiah. Meanwhile, the special infrastructure fund is IDR 4.3 trillion. This amount of funds was taken from the 2020 State Budget. It turns out that not only Papua, but Aceh also received special autonomy funds as well.

Sri Mulyani added, for volume 2 of the special autonomy fund, it would be focused on developing information and communication technology facilities and expanding access to improve the effectiveness of education and health services. This was stated by him before the Committee IV and the Budget Team for the Regional Representative Council Committee.

If the special autonomy fund is a form of information technology facility development, it would be very appropriate. Because it will level IT development not only in western Indonesia, but also in the east. When Papuans need internet access, they will have no trouble finding signals and have to climb into trees or other high places.

Internet access is really needed, especially now that children are still studying at home. They can make video calls with their teachers and send WA messages smoothly, if the internet signal is good. Learning is no longer intermittent and they can get knowledge, even if they are only at home for a while.

Development of information technology is not only used to build telephony and internet signal transmitting towers, but can also be used as computers, laptops, and provision of networks in schools. If soon there is Covid-19 immunization and schools are opened again, then the facilities inside will be more complete. Children will be happy.

So Papuan children will be able to learn IT at school, if they don't have their own devices at home. They become technology literate and smarter. When they have received special autonomy scholarships and have the opportunity to study in Java, they will not be surprised because they already understand the information technology needed to study on campus.

The teacher also directed that the internet could be used as a learning tool because there was open access to knowledge. So children are not only familiar with social media. However, they are encouraged to search for scientific journals, textbooks, encyclopedias, etc. The internet is also a field of money and teaches them digital marketing.

The provision of special autonomy funds for information technology facilities is also very good, especially for parents. They can have a device with a good signal and will not stutter if the child asks, how to operate the Zoom app, how to send an email, etc. All Papuans have become technology literate.

The provision of special autonomy funds to improve information technology facilities is very good because Papuan children are no longer clueless, but can take advantage of the internet. Good for learning, seeking knowledge, also directed to master digital marketing. Papuan children are becoming more advanced and smarter.