Get to know Rahimin Katjong, the vice governor of West Papua for two periods in a row. Here are his political journey, education, and award.
Rahimin Katjong’s Political Journeys
Rahimin Katjong is the vice governor of West Papua who served for two terms, that is, from 2006 to 2011 and from 2012 to 2017. During his tenure as the vice governor, Rahimin Katjong accompanied Abraham O. Atururi.
- Rahimin Katjong’s Election as Vice Governor
Rahimin Katjong’s political journey is not smooth sailing. During the election campaign for the governor of West Papua, several figures rejected Rahimin Katjong’s participation because he did not meet the requirements.
In the requirements for the nomination of the governor and deputy governor determined by the KPUD of West Papua, the candidate who will participate must be a native of West Papua. At that time, about 28 Fakfak community leaders provided evidence that Rahimin was not a native of West Papua.
Not only that, but the candidacy of Abraham Oatururi also caused problems at that time. Nonetheless, fate said otherwise. In the second election, Rahimin Katjong and his running mate Abraham O. Atururi managed to garner 57.71% of the votes.
Abraham O. Atururi and Rahimin Katjong’s efforts managed to win their second election. Their success as leaders of West Papua in the previous period turned out to be the main reason for this victory.
- Rahimin Katjong’s Inauguration
Even though they won the majority of votes in the election for governor and vice governor of West Papua, there are still some rejections from some communities. In 2012, the Arfak people rejected the inauguration of Abraham O. Atururi and Rahimin Katjong.
The Arfak peoples urge law enforcement officials to investigate further allegations of corruption by Abraham O. Atururi and Rahimin Katjong. This request was delivered after a meeting between traditional leaders and students from Arfak peoples in Manokwari, West Papua, in January 2012.
The Arfak people refused the inauguration if there was no further legal investigation into the alleged corruption in the 2010 West Papua APBD. The Arfak community suspected that the governor and elected representatives used the funds to finance campaign activities.
Life and Career Journeys
Rahimin Katjong was born in Fakfak on June 28, 1948. During his lifetime, he married Naning Wibowo and had five children. He passed away on Thursday, January 22, 2015, due to a stroke that he suffered. Died in Yogyakarta, Rahimin Katjong is buried in his hometown, Manokwari, West Papua.
Before his career in politics, Rahimin was a teacher who gradually and actively joined teacher organizations. Eventually, his organizational activity made him interested to know more about politics.
Throughout his career, apart from working as the vice governor of West Papua, Rahimin Katjong also experienced occupying other vital positions. Among them is the Head of the Education Office of Southeast Sulawesi, the Regional Secretary of West Papua Province, and Assistant II of West Papua Province.
Appreciation and Awards
Even though their election-winning raises pros and contra, Rahimin Katjong and Abraham O. Atururi received appreciation from the people of West Papua. As a form of appreciation for Rahimin Katjong’s extraordinary public service and contributions to West Papua, the local community gave him a very special award.
The government immortalizes his figure as one of the names of roads in West Papua. Through the decree of the Regent of Manokwari, the road located at the Bakaro T-junction for 15.19 km is now called Jalan Rahimin Katjong.
Not only Rahimin Katjong, but the same appreciation was also given to Abraham O. Atururi. The upper road that is located near the West Papua Governor’s Office to Mandopi is now named Jalan Brigadier General of the Marines Abraham Atururi.
