Affirmative Policy expands to create opportunities for Indigenous Papuans

Affirmative policies implemented by the government towards Papua and West Papua are indeed needed to create wider opportunities for indigenous Papuans (OAP) on Earth of Cendrawasih.

"In the context of Papua, opportunities are open for Papuan young people. First, there is a special autonomy fund. Second, there is an affirmative policy from the government, how to empower OAP to have a brighter future," said Papuan observer and strategic issues Prof Imron Cotan at a gathering for Papuan students throughout Jabodetabek held by the Human Studies Institute and the Moya Institute, in Jakarta, Wednesday.

Imron explained, Presidential Instruction Number 9 of 2020 concerning the Acceleration of Welfare Development in Papua is the latest step in the government's commitment to advancing Papua.

According to him, the unstable security situation has hampered the development process launched by the government. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen affirmative development policies as an effort to realize the acceleration of the development of the welfare of the Papuan people.

"This affirmative policy must be strengthened, especially in creating job opportunities for OAP. For example, OAP graduates from various campuses who find it difficult to find work can have the opportunity to work in BUMN," the former Indonesian Ambassador to Australia said.

Another affirmative policy that will be issued by the government, according to Imron, is that in the near future the DPR and the government will issue a Law on the New Autonomous Region, which is expected to cover the entire customary territory of the Land of Papua.

"The main purpose of the expansion is to shorten the bureaucracy, logistics routes and also create new job opportunities for OAP. The number of governors is increasing, as are the deputy governors, regional secretaries, down to all levels of the bureaucracy. This opens up opportunities for OAP," said Imron. in a press release.

The chairman of the Papua Deliberative Council (Bamus) Willem Frans Ansanay, said OAP has the same rights, obligations and opportunities as other Indonesians.

He also asked Papuan youths to be part of the solution to advance Papua in particular, and Indonesia in a wider context.

"I want to prove this is my country too. I can live anywhere, compete with anyone, and can do something to fulfill daily life, but also benefit many people. We compete, yes, compete. There is no difference, " he said motivating Papuan students in Jabodetabek.

Meanwhile, a young Papuan leader, Charles Kosay, said it was time for Papuan youths to become agents of change to see the future.

Papuan youths, he said, no longer need to look at what is happening behind them, so they can face challenges in the future, as part of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. Papua today needs human resources, which incidentally are young Papuan children who are currently studying in various places.

"We are the ones who will build our own Papua Land. Papua is rich in natural resources, but who will manage it, if the human resources are not educated. So let's unite our resolve," said Charles.

SOURCE : https://papua.antaranews.com/berita/675749/policy-afirmatif-percepat-ciptakan-peluang-bagi-orang-asli-papua