Local Wisdom Economy, Jayapura Regent Wins This Award

Economic and integrated media CNBC Indonesia held the 2021 CNBC Indonesia Awards ''The Best Regional Leaders',' as a form of appreciation and performance that has been achieved by economic actors and regional leaders throughout 2021.

For the breakthrough made in revitalizing the economy, the Jayapura Regent Mathius Awoitauw was named the "Breakthrough Award on Sociocultural-Based Development". This award was given virtually to Jayapura Regent Mathius Awoitauw.

"Thank you for the assessment and award given to Jayapura Regency today. I accept it with pleasure, and hopefully it can provide motivation," said Mathius in his speech, Monday (11/15/2021).

He revealed that local wisdom in any field should be able to make sustainable development work, especially with community participation.

"That way they themselves can feel the benefits, with this award hopefully Jayapura Regency can be better," said Mathius.

Under the leadership of President Joko Widodo, Papua has become a development priority outside Java, for the sake of economic equality. However, in realizing these noble ideals, problems often arise due to neglected socio-cultural constraints.

To build physical infrastructure such as roads and bridges, land acquisition must be carried out. However, the aspect of land acquisition is often a problem that arises in the development of physical infrastructure to improve connectivity. Sociocultural aspects in the form of the existence of indigenous peoples are sometimes not taken into account.

The paradigm that the state is the legal owner of every inch of land in the country tends to have negative consequences for the existence of customary lands. Those who have historical attachments and values ​​to land have been marginalized and often even marginalized.

Infrastructure development for economic equality should not lead to the marginalization of the existence of indigenous peoples, because it actually harms the main goal of inclusive development, namely: citizens. That is what the Jayapura Regent Mathius Awoitauw believes and is the focus of the development approach being implemented.

Papua is still very thick with its indigenous people. Based on the research of the CNBC Indonesia Research Team, there are at least 24 tribes that make up the largest indigenous community in Papua. These indigenous peoples are scattered in various corners of Tanah Irian, including in Jayapura.

In the aspect of regional development, indigenous peoples are often not involved. The policy pattern tends to be vertical, namely instructions from the center to the regions. Horizontal communication strategies with indigenous peoples tend not to be fully implemented.

Mathius tries to bridge the problem of development and the existence of indigenous peoples. He acknowledged the existence of indigenous peoples in Jayapura since his first term in office, in November 2014.

At that time, Mathius officially acknowledged the existence of indigenous peoples in Jayapura by receiving representatives from the nine largest indigenous communities (original tribes) in Jayapura who were present and giving appreciation for the Regent's move.

Recognition of the existence of indigenous peoples as an important aspect in the approach to economic development is carried out to avoid social friction, and to streamline the dissemination of government policies, especially in the midst of a pandemic. It was this approach that made Mathius win the trust of the people of Jayapura to lead in the second period.

The Jayapura Regency Government's breakthrough in implementing the principles of economic development based on sociocultural aspects is manifested in the 'District Build, Build District (DMMD)' program.

Mathius said that the district has a strategic role as six centers: the center for the empowerment of indigenous peoples; basic service center; center for innovation and entrepreneurship; regional economic growth centers; center for natural resources (SDA) and the environment; and data, information and knowledge centers.

The six centers ultimately lead to one point, namely the public service center. Through this program Mathius wants to emphasize that the state and government are here to serve the community, by maintaining the social aspect of society.

Concretely, people who live in remote geographical areas such as indigenous peoples do not need to go all the way to the city to fulfill their needs. Their needs can be met only by coming to their respective districts.

Mathius' development model is considered ideal for Papua. The DMMD program received a positive response and appreciation from the central government and was encouraged to be adopted in other regions. President Jokowi also acknowledged the program through Presidential Instruction number 9 of 2020.

The CNBC Indonesia Research Team noted that in the long term, the public policy adopted is expected to increase the participation of Papuan Indigenous People (OAP) in regional development. The concept is From OAP, to OAP and by OAP so that horizontal conflicts and national disintegration can be avoided.

SOURCE : https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20211115180713-4-291730/ Ekonomi-kearifan-lokal-bupati-jayapura-raih-penghargaan-ini