The government continues to pay attention to development in the two easternmost provinces of Indonesia, namely Papua and West Papua. Various indicators show that the social system of West Papua is improving in 2019-2022.
Development of Social System in West Papua
During that period, the poverty rate in Papua fell from 28.40% to 27.53%, and West Papua fell from 25.72% to 22.17%. Papua’s Human Development Index rose from 57.25 to 60.84, while West Papua’s from 61.73 to 64.7.
This improvement is in line with Presidential Instruction Number 9 of 2020 concerning the Acceleration of Welfare Development in the Provinces of Papua and West Papua.
Papua’s Social System Under the Auspices of Joko Widodo
Under the leadership of Indonesia’s current president, Joko Widodo, who has traveled to West Papua more frequently than any other Indonesian president, efforts to speed up the development of the social system of West Papua have stepped up significantly.
Positive first moves were taken by “Jokowi,” including releasing several political prisoners from West Papua and announcing that limitations on international journalists’ access to West Papua would be relaxed.
By connecting certain distant villages with West Papuan economic growth hubs, Jokowi’s fast development initiative has improved access to transportation and services, including power. Despite recent improvements in West Papua’s human development index (HDI), particularly in rural regions, serious health issues remain a problem.
During a severe measles outbreak in Asmat Regency in 2017–18, rice and imported goods replaced traditional rural diets, contributing to malnutrition and the reported death of 60–70 children.
West Papua Policy Challenges for Indonesia
President Jokowi’s initiative to speed up infrastructure and development has found traction in West Papua. He plans to keep up this effort after being re-elected in 2019. Additionally, Indonesia will keep up its increased security presence.
Threats by the TPNPB against the infrastructure project will only lead Indonesia to increase its security presence in West Papua. As the result, it will decrease the likelihood of a peaceful outcome. As Indonesia’s population expands, people will migrate to West Papua in search of resources and space.
An insider in the West Papuan administration claims that the region’s quick progress has “stunned” the infrequent Pacific delegations that have visited in recent years. However, as shown by the TPNPB’s defense of the Nduga attack, the Trans-Papua Highway primarily serves the interests of non-West Papuans, the military, and the police. This attitude is typical among West Papuans.
The Problem of Deforestation
Deforestation is still a severe problem. One of the world’s hotspots for deforestation is West Papua. Fortunately, Jakarta has only taken a few steps to solve it.
Concessions for oil palm and logging have ceased to be granted. The potential for religious conflict is another issue that West Papua is now facing. In West Papua, mostly Christian, Christians, and Muslims have peacefully coexisted for decades.
However, there are more peoblem like migration gradually altering the country’s demography and the spread of orthodox Islam throughout Indonesia. Also, there may be more incidents of interreligious violence like the mosque burning in Tolikara, a town in the Highlands, in the future.
Finally, Indonesia’s handling of the regional COVID-19 conflict will severely hinder its efficient West Papua government claims.
Such socio-economic and environmental constraints feed the social system of West Papua. If the cycle is not stopped, West Papuans will feel more excluded. In addition, the TPNPB will continue to stir up trouble, Indonesia will tighten security controls, and MSG divides will become more pronounced.
Bottom Line
The two easternmost provinces of Indonesia are Papua and West Papua. The social system of West Papua has been accelerated under Joko Widodo’s leadership. West Papua’s Human Development Index increased from 61.73 to 64.7, whereas Papua’s increased from 57.25 to 60.84.
Despite these advancements, there are still significant problems with things like health. The military, the police, and non-West Papuans benefit most from the Trans-Papua Highway. Christians and Muslims have coexisted in harmony for many years in the predominantly Christian country of West Papua.
