CHAIRMAN OF THE KAIMANA TRADITIONAL COUNCIL: “OTSUS HAS CONTRIBUTED A LOT TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF PAPUA HUMAN RESOURCES”

By bearing the title of Special Autonomy Region (Otsus), Papua and West Papua still have distinctive political rights, which do not exist elsewhere. The Regent/Mayor, and Governor in both provinces must be native Papuan sons. In accordance with Law No. 21 of 2001 concerning Special Autonomy for the Papua Province, which was updated with Law No. 35 of 2008, Papua and West Papua are entitled to economic rights as well.

Economic rights, among others, are the Special Autonomy Fund, which amounts to 2 percent of the total General Allocation Fund (DAU) of the APBN. There is also the right to the Additional Infrastructure Fund (DTI), which is valid for 20 years. The special autonomy fund, which has been revolving since 2002, is intended to catch up, especially in the fields of education and health. The DTI is intended to accelerate regional infrastructure development.

Johanes Werfete, Chairman of the Kaimana Customary Council stated that Otsus should be supported for the progress of development and the welfare of the Papuan people. In addition, Otsus has also contributed a lot to the development of Papuan human resources, including educational scholarships for Papuan children.

The Special Autonomy Fund given by the Central Government to Regional Governments is channeled in the form of development programs, including infrastructure such as roads and bridges, education such as school scholarships and health services. There is also something that has been channeled directly to the Papuan community since 2018 in the form of community empowerment assistance and what is currently underway is the Strategic Program for Increasing the Development of Special Autonomy Villages (PROSPEK OTSUS).

As Chairman of the Kaimana Customary Council, Johanes is committed to continuing to establish partnerships with the government, so that any government policies that are considered good and beneficial for the Papuan people will always be supported. "Any program issued by the government is the best policy and must be supported by all parties for the advancement of development and community welfare, especially the indigenous people of Kaimana," concluded Johanes.

SOURCE: https://melanesianinfo.com/ketua-umum-dewan-adat-kaimana-otsus-telah-many-berkonribu-bagi-pengembangan-sdm-papua/