29 Regencies/Cities Agree to Support the Creation of New Autonomous Regions in Papua and West Papua

Reporter : Richard Jackson Mayor
Merdeka.com – A total of 29 regencies/cities in Papua Province agreed to support the expansion efforts in Papua. This support was conveyed after holding a special meeting for the Acceleration of Welfare Development in accordance with Papua’s customary territories, Friday (10/6) yesterday.

The meeting was attended by various parties, including the regent/mayor in Papua Province, the Papua Province Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), the Papuan People’s Assembly, the Papuan People’s Representative Council (DPRP), and other related parties.

The special meeting then agreed on several matters relating to support for the division of Papua. The agreement was reached after listening to the input, aspirations, and wishes of the indigenous Papuan people represented by regional heads, traditional leaders, religious leaders, women’s leaders, and youth leaders who attended the meeting.

The agreement supports and is committed to implementing the Special Autonomy (Otsus) policy for the Papua Province in accordance with Law (UU) No. 2 of 2021, to accelerate the development of the welfare of the Papuan Indigenous People (OAP) in accordance with customary territories. In addition, they asked that sectoral laws in their implementation in Papua Province must be adjusted to Law Number 2 of 2021.

“We urge the central government and the Indonesian House of Representatives to immediately realize the establishment of New Autonomous Regions (DOB) / expansion of provinces and districts / cities in Papua Province,” one of the agreements wrote.

Then, the expansion in Papua Province and regencies/cities was followed by a special formation for the acceptance of State Civil Apparatus (ASN), TNI, and Polri which must be filled with OAP. Not only that, the number of seats allocated for DPR RI, DPD RI from Papua Province and the division province from Papua is at least 5 seats proportionally. In addition, the regent and deputy regent, mayor and deputy mayor must come from OAP.

During the meeting, it was also agreed that regional heads, including community leaders, would form a cooperation forum to oversee the acceleration of welfare development in accordance with Papua’s customary territories.

The 29 areas include Jayapura City, Jayapura Regency, Keerom Regency, Sarmi Regency, Mamberamo Raya Regency, Biak Numfor Regency, Supiori Regency, Yapen Islands Regency, Waropen Regency, Merauke Regency, Mappi Regency, Asmat Regency, Boven Digoel Regency, Jayawijaya, Bintang Mountains Regency, Lanny Jaya Regency, Tolikara Regency, Nduga Regency, Yalimo Regency, Yahukimo Regency, Mamberamo Tengah Regency, Puncak Regency, Puncak Jaya Regency, Dogiyai Regency, Deiyai ​​Regency, Nabire Regency, Intan Jaya Regency, Paniai Regency, and Mimika Regency.

Meanwhile, the Chair of the Forum for Regional Heads in Tanah Tabi and Sairei who is also the Regent of Jayapura Mathius Awoitauw appreciated the various parties who were present at the meeting. He considered that the meeting took place in a dynamic family atmosphere. The enthusiasm of the participants seemed so enthusiastic which was colored by various inputs in welcoming changes for the future of the Papuan people.

“We will continue to build communication, we also ask for suggestions and input from the associations, chairpersons, representatives, and others in all customary areas,” he said. [eko]

Source: Merdeka