The Special Autonomy Fund has many benefits, the provincial government should socialize it

 

The Papua Special Autonomy Policy (Otsus) has provided tremendous benefits for the Papuan people. The policies implemented in accordance with Law Number 21 of 2001 have reached Rp. 126 trillion in terms of budget. This is a testament to the Central Government's commitment to accelerate Papua's development, in terms of human resources and infrastructure.

Deputy Regent of Asmat, Thomas Eppe Safanpo, explained that many Papuan students received scholarships from the Special Autonomy fund. Then Papuan youths who have successfully entered the police service are also soldiers, from the perspective of the education costs, the special autonomy funds.

In fact, various customary institutions and religious institutions in Papua actually enjoy special autonomy funds. So, if there is a rejection from the recipient of the special autonomy fund, it is clearly unfair and wrong.

Unfortunately, these various advantages are not well socialized by the provincial government. Although there are still shortcomings, in the 20 years period until now, the presence of Otsus has provided enormous benefits, which are focused on four priority programs.

For example, aspects of education, health, infrastructure, to community economic empowerment. This is proof that the Central Government's attention to Papua is so great.

Because of that, he asked the provincial governments of Papua and West Papua to be more open, to convey what data the benefits of Special Autonomy funds were and what were they used for.

"I ask the provincial governments of Papua and West Papua to open data. Regarding the refusal of special autonomy, the local government seems silent, making the situation seem to be forcing the central government to face the Papuan people directly, "said Thomas Eppe.

The provincial governments of Papua and West Papua should have opened data to the public on what the Special Autonomy has been doing in Papua. From 2002 to 2020, open data to the public in Papua and nationally about the achievements of Otsus.

The Papua provincial government, as the representative of the central government, must have the courage to open these data so that it does not appear to lead the Papuan people against the Central government.

This needs to be done, so that the Papuan people are not consumed by the political agitations of the counter-government groups to reject the special autonomy. Political agitation can only be countered by correct data and information that can be accessed by the public adequately.

"There have been many positive effects of Otsus for 18 years, for example, many students are funded by Otsus. Many of the police & soldiers who are indigenous Papuans were recruited into the apparatus. The recruitment and training fees are funded by Otsus, this has never been disclosed to the public, "he said.

According to Thomas, the provincial government is not good at using socialization instruments, such as social media. So that the various benefits of Otsus are not conveyed. In fact, the special autonomy funds have been felt so that villages, districts, and the community have also responded positively.

For example, there is a program where families with children under 4 years of age receive a budget every month and are paid twice a year. If this policy can be extended to all districts and cities, it will have a significant impact and prove that Otsus has a tremendous impact.

"This section should be socialized. So that those who reject this special autonomy are aware that they will not be exposed to political agitation, as if the otsus has failed even though it does not have many benefits, "he said.

Head of the Center for Policy Analysis and Performance of the National Development Planning Agency, Velix Wanggai, added that he saw that Otsus could not be done in the short term, but from the start, Otsus began.

In the Special Autonomy Law, various things have been summarized, especially in terms of respect for indigenous Papuans. This proves that the country fully respects Papua.

Source: https://nasional.kontan.co.id/news/dana-otsus-punya-banyak-benefits-sehukah-disocialisasi-pemprov