Implementation of Special Autonomy Law of the Papua Province has made a significant improvement in the lives of the Papuans. For the Law to achieve results, numbers of factors must be dealt with in the near future.
When decentralization commenced in the early 2000s, local officials have indulged greater powers in many aspects of policymaking, such as arranging and disbursing budgets, granting investment or mining permits and promoting staff. As part of its attempt to address the policy, Indonesian government introduced a special autonomy for the Papua Province in late 2001. The 2001 Special Autonomy Law No.21 (Otsus) is part of a plan to improve the welfare of the Papuans. The law also provides broad opportunities for Papuans to participate and contribute in shaping and directing local development strategies and regional policies. More important, the Special Autonomy Law also recognizes the existence of traditional rights and customary law.
Over the past four years, its implementation had been shown positive and better results as explained by the Papua regional secretary, Hery Dosinaen. This year commemorated the 16 years of its implementation. As the result, Papua Governor Lukas Enembe has set November 21, 2017 as Special Autonomy Law Day for the Papua Province. The commemoration of Special Autonomy Law Day will be held through exhibitions and publications of development results over the recent years.
The appointment of Special Autonomy Day aims to inform and remind the granting of Special Autonomy status to the people of Papua. The Special Autonomy Law is the result of the struggle of all components within the framework of the Republic of Indonesia. The work has yet finished and requires more attention. All parties and experts from academics are expected to make a positive contribution to what needs to be done forward in the implementation process of Special Autonomy Law.
Keywords: Papua, Special Autonomy Law, Law, Policy, Province, Decentralization, Development, Indonesia, Government, Officials