As is known, the majority of Indonesia’s central government affairs are in Jakarta. However, this does not mean other regions like Papua have never been visited or become workplaces. If President Joko Widodo has visited frequently, the Vice President to visit Papua for a month after Eid 2023 to work.
The plan is one of Vice president Ma’ruf Amin’s agenda as Chairman of the Steering Committee for the Acceleration of Special Autonomy for Papua (BP3OKP) or the Papua Steering Committee (BPP). November 2022 Ma’ruf Amin has also made a working visit to Papua. Then what is the agenda and results of his visit?
Vice President Work Plan from Papua Office
Representative of the West Papua Special Autonomy Development Acceleration Steering Committee (BP3OKP), Irene Manibuy, on February 8, 2023, stated that this visit would last a month.
From the Papua office, the Vice President will monitor the progress of several development programs that are being intensively carried out in the Papua region.
Although there is no exact date, Irene stated that the Vice President would be based in Papua after Eid 2023. It can be estimated that the Vice President will come in late April or early May 2023.
In addition to working from the office, the Papua Steering Committee (BPP) chairman will also visit six provinces in Papua. West Papua, Papua, Central Papua, Southwest Papua, South Papua, and Mountainous Papua will be on the visit list.
Irene also said that the central government, in this case, the Vice President, will continue to monitor Papua’s development. This is a concern because the budget allocation in the parent province will have an impact due to the expansion of four new autonomous regions (DOB).
This monitoring will remain active and focused so that each region receives proportional funding and no area is left behind.
Because it affects the center and the regions, the two parties work together. The appointment of Paulus Waterpauw as Chairman of the Association of Governors in the Land of Papua will facilitate his coordination with the President and Vice President.
Results of Vice Presidential Visit in November 2022
The vice president’s plan to work in the Papua office is an implementation of his notes after a working visit in November 2022.
Accompanied by Mrs. Wury Ma’ruf Amin, his five-day visit covered several regions in Papua. It was the most prolonged visit in the country because he visited many areas.
These areas include Jayapura and Biak Numfor in Papua Province, Merauke in South Papua Province, Timika City in Central Papua Province, and Kaimana in West Papua Province.
The Vice President met and received aspirations from local governments, traditional and community leaders, and local Papuans. From the results of the meeting, which are helpful to help accelerate development, there are several notes that he obtained, namely:
- The Vice President felt highly optimistic from various social layers who want Papua to be more just, peaceful, and prosperous. This made his working visit leave a strong impression.
- There is a solid effort to maintain harmony in Papua. It can be seen from the role of religion, customs, and regional leadership, who always collaborate. As chairman of BPP, he will also collaborate with Papuan churches and the Religious Harmony Forum (FKUB).
- Local communities are very persistent in developing their commodities. Some are coffee, food, spices, and fish in each potential area. The government will help so that each sector can advance and be able to export.
- Infrastructure and connectivity are the primary capital to develop Papua, requiring careful planning.
- The presence of new autonomous regions (DOB) can help Papua advance and provide optimal services to the community.
- The Vice President ordered his staff to plan other concrete actions for Papua’s development.
- Plans to return to visit and oversee the DOB.
It can be seen that the Vice Presiden to visit Papua is his commitment to the seventh note so that the DOB can take place safely and smoothly.
