Anim Ha Customary Leader Supports the Establishment of South Papua Province

The Head of Anim Ha in Merauke Regency, Mappi Regency, Boven Digoel Regency, and Asmat Regency, Papua Paskalis Imadawa expressed his support for the New Autonomous Region (DOB) of South Papua Province. According to him, the formation of this new autonomous region can bring justice in equitable development in the fields of infrastructure, facilities and human resources (HR).

"So we in Southern Papua are very far behind those around Jayapura and the Mountains. Not even our employees, officials have been promoted at all to the provincial level," said Paskalis in a written statement, Tuesday (10/5/2022) .

He emphasized that the struggle to realize the new autonomous regions of South Papua has come a long way and there are no words to reconsider. Paskalis also conveyed that most of the Papuan people honestly and openly wanted DOB to be present in Papua as soon as possible.
 
"In terms of human resources, especially education, those who enjoy special autonomy funds (Otsus) education, there is a 1000 doctoral program abroad for education, it was announced by the governor. But those who enter are children from the mountains, children around Jayapura and children from Sorong," he explained. .

Paskalis revealed that the development and improvement of the quality of education in Southern Papua was not touched at all. Therefore, he wants DOB to be executed as soon as possible.
 
His party also confirmed that they had unanimously supported DOB from the South. Paskalis also did not bother with the rejection in Central Papua, the Mountains.

"Let them reject it but we don't. So don't be generalized by high-ranking officials of the Republic of Indonesia, Papuans reject DOB. We fully support the existence of new autonomous regions for equitable development," he said.

He added that the expansion could help accelerate development in Papua Province.
 
"DOB, especially the discourse on the expansion of the South Papua Province (PPS) must be supported because the reach of the Papua Province is very wide. So with the expansion it can bring services closer to the community. And I think the people of Merauke need the division of regencies and provinces," he explained.

Paskalis hopes that the central government, Papua Regional Government and Merauke Regency can immediately encourage the development, so that the process of forming the South Papua Province will soon be realized.

"Considering that southern Papua is wide, only four districts, if there is an expansion of districts or provinces, I think this will accelerate people's welfare. And the people in Merauke Regency must accept this plan," he said.

The presence of a new province, continued Paskalis, would make development evenly distributed.

"As long as we don't become a province, throughout history, Southern Papuans will never be governors and chairman of the Papuan DPR. Take note of that. But, if we are our own province, then we South Papuans will definitely govern ourselves," he concluded.

SOURCE : https://news.detik.com/berita/d-6070469/ketua-adat-anim-ha-support-pemunjukan-provinsi-papua-selatan