Local Governments in Papua Given Authority to Manage Special Autonomy Funds

Local governments in Papua are given the authority to manage special autonomy funds (otsus). Previously this authority only existed in the province. Head of the Papua Regional Planning and Development Agency (Bappeda), Yohanis Walilo, said that 80 percent of the special autonomy fund was managed at the provincial level, now more of it is returned to districts and cities.

"With the changes to laws and PP 106 and 107 of 2021, of course there will be improvements, one of which is regarding financial management which is now directly transferred from the center to provinces and districts/cities," said Head of the Papua Regional Development Planning Agency, Yohanis in Jayapura City, Papua, Saturday (11/12/2021).

According to Yohanis, the implementation of the new policy is confirmed to be effective in 2023, while in 2022 it will still focus on the transition phase. "We want to see later together between the provinces and regencies/cities, if it is good and successful, then it will work together," he said.

He explained that from the experience of special autonomy for the past 20 years, all components can remind each other what program activities the government should focus on in the future in utilizing these funds.

"We hope that districts and cities can make the best use of the special autonomy funds, which starting next year will be transferred directly by the central government according to their respective portions, details of their use must also be submitted," he said.

SOURCE: https://indonesiatimur.id/2021/12/12/pemda-di-papua-given-ketanganan-kelola-dana-otsus/