The Minister of Social Affairs, Tri Rismaharini, visits Cross Country Boundary Post (PLBN) Skouw in Papua. This boundary post is in Muara Tami District, 60 km from Jayapura City. The head of PLBN Skouw greets Risma by giving her a traditional cassowary crown.
This visit is one of Risma’s working visit agenda in Papua. Before visiting Skouw, Risma attended the inauguration of PYCH or Papua Youth Creative Hub. President Jokowi also attended this inauguration.
Risma Becomes Honorary Citizen
Iyan Numberi, The Head of PLBN Skouw, welcomes The Minister of Social Affairs by wearing traditional Papuan clothes. Then, he puts Cassowary Crown on Risma.
This tradition confirms that Risma officially becomes Papua honorary citizen. Besides, as a member of the Saireri Tribe, Iyan also gives Risma the right to use Numberi’s surname.
As the representative of the Papuan, Iyan also asks the Minister of Social Affairs to develop Papua. He hopes that Risma can enhance the welfare of Papuans.
He stated that nowadays, Papua becomes Risma’s responsibility since she is part of Papua. Then, he also asks Risma to build Papua as she builds other areas in Indonesia.
The Minister of Social Affairs stated that the government really cares about the welfare and the progress of outermost and remote areas, such as cross country boundary posts in Papua. The reason is the welfare of Papuans is one of the agendas to implement the principle of justice. That is why Risma conducts working visits to Skouw, the boundary post of Indonesia – PNG.
Empowerment Programs for Papua
In fact, The Minister of Social Affairs has initiated various programs for Papua.
1. Training for Papuan Youths
Some youths from Jayapura, Asmat, and Membrano are trained to build fiber boats. This training was held in the Institute of Technology Sepuluh November Surabaya. After training, the youths are expected to build their own boats for fishing or transporting goods and people. The purpose of this training is to reduce social assistance dependence.
The participants in the training can develop their skills to make fiber boats. So, in the future, this skill can be their business potential. The reason is many areas in Papua need boats for transportation. Therefore, at the end of the training, the participants must be able to produce 51 boats.
2. E-trail Electric Motorbikes
In addition, The Ministry of Social Affairs also gives e-trail electric motorbikes called BangITS Cendrawasih to Papuans. The locals can ride these motorbikes to transport goods.
3. Doyo Healthy Houses and Disaster Victim’s Shelters
Another project held in Papua is building Doyo Healthy Houses for the flood victims in Sentani. Furthermore, the Ministry of Social Affairs has built a lot of shelters to help disaster victims.
The Purpose of Visiting Papua
Since she was appointed to be the Minister of Social Affairs, Risma has visited Papua eight times. She also went to Puncak Jaya.
The arrival of Risma in Skouw, the boundary post of Indonesia – Papua New Guinea, is not only for attending the inauguration of PYCH. But she also has different agenda. Risma wants to meet academics as well as religious leaders in Papua. It is because she wants to discuss the progress of the programs in Papua.
Moreover, she wants to plan other potential programs in Papua, especially in Indonesia’s cross-country boundary post. She hopes that the programs initiated by the Ministry of Social Affairs to develop outermost and remote areas, especially Papua, can run well.
As a result, the government can implement the principle of justice for all residents. Risma stated that the welfare of residents who live in cross-country boundary posts is the responsibility of the government. Then this visit can prove that the government is serious about advancing Papua.
