When talking about the success of the development of West Papua Province in the past year, it would feel incomplete without mentioning Paulus Waterpauw. This is because, while serving as an Acting Governor, Waterpauw brought many positive changes to the westernmost region of the land of Papua.
Waterpauw started to serve the residents of West Papua as their leader on May 12, 2022. However, his tenure as an Acting Governor of West Papua only counts days until it ends. Because he will end his tenure as an official who filled the governor’s position next month, on May 12, 2023.
KNPI: The Legacy Must Be Continued
Towards the end of Waterpauw’s term of office, Haris Pertama, the General Chair of the Indonesian Youth National Committee (KNPI), spoke out about it. Pertama said that the development of West Papua must continue. It is to create a more fair, affluent, and prosperous society.
Pertama regrets if the central government does not decide to continue the legacy of Waterpauw. He thinks Waterpauw has successfully brought West Papua in a better direction over the past year. So, it would be a shame if his way to lead stopped.
As a native Papuan, Waterpauw has devoted all his ideas and energies, so his region will development. He carried out his duties properly. This is why Waterpauw is deemed entitled to continue his legacy until the General Election for the Governor of West Papua, which surely will arrive next year.
K. H Ahmad Nausrau, The Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council of West Papua Province, agrees with this opinion. Nausrau hopes that Waterpauw will continue his mandate as the leader of West Papuan.
Waterpauw said he is ready to accept all the decisions of the Minister of Home Affairs, Tito Karnavian. Either extend his tenure or end it when the time has come.
“If it is not extended, I am ready to accept it. Because this is a mandate that every state administrator must obey,” Waterpauw said to the media.
Nine Successful Things Paulus Waterpauw Has Done
There are several reasons why KNPI wants Waterpauw to continue his legacy. However, his success in accelerating regional infrastructure development is the most visible one. Aside from that, he succeeded in reducing poverty and stunting problems in West Papua.
“We, KNPI, really appreciate Mr. Waterpauw’s success as an Acting Governor,” said Pertama.
Pertama noted that Waterpauw succeeded in at least nine things during his tenure. The first one was the project to widen the airstrip at Manokwari. So, for now, the large planes could land directly there and not have to transit in Sorong.
Then, Waterpauw also made a grand strategy for the layout of Manokwari City to be more beautiful. He also reconstructed the old Sanggeng Market into a more modern market with four floors.
The Borasi Field also conjured by him as an open area. So, for now, the people of Manokwari and West Papua have a facility to gather, have a picnic, and go on recreation with family. Aside from that, they can create something, socialize, and do other activities.
Then, he uses the ex-PON bus for public purposes, which can be used by the public and easily accessible to them. Waterpauw also succeeded in rehabilitating the Sanggeng Sports Hall and the Sanggeng Stadium. He also activates work training centers and then improves the bureaucratic system.
The most important one, Paulus Waterpauw succeeded in overcoming poverty, stunting, and reducing the number of children dropping out of school. It is a very important development for the people of West Papua.
