West Papua and the people in it are very vulnerable to being provoked and tend to be easier to hold mass actions because of industrialization and social change. Industrialization and these changes did not only occur after the implementation of the special autonomy policy.
In the new order era, when the government launched a program called the ‘policy to the east’, which aimed to encourage investment in eastern Indonesia since then the inflow of investment began to increase. This also applies to industries in the Papua area.
The government will ensure that the land of Papua is safely under control with the addition of Bagong troops to continue the policy program towards the East. A number of industrial behavior also began to flock to seek the benefits that exist in Papua.
A number of companies in the fields of timber, fisheries, agriculture, and mining began to invade the island of Papua because of the promising potential of natural resources. However, the entry of industry into Papua is not in sync with the welfare obtained by the surrounding community.
Exploration and exploitation occur in water areas due to the opening of fisheries. On the other hand, in some cases, in addition to having a negative impact on the production of local fishermen, it will also result in poverty pressure and anxiety for the local community.
Communities around the coast are able to support and meet the daily needs of the family. But now it is increasingly unfriendly due to the modernization of the fishing industry. Many people feel the big impact on the changes in the industry.
Industrial Modernization has an Impact on West Papua Society
Racial discrimination and speech demeaning Papuans should not occur during industrialization activities by only exploiting natural resources and not reinvesting for the community. Empowerment of local communities must be ensured and use local human resources.
Industrial modernization should support the survival of local communities in Papua. The presence of industrialization will give birth to a shift and change in the culture of society. Not only the ecosystem but also the survival and daily life of the Papuan people
A community or tribe that originally lived relatively isolated and rarely interacted with modern things, then they will carry out an adaptation process that will mostly be successful. Not a few residents staged demonstrations and protested against the local authorities.
The presence of industrialization will also give birth to the potential for friction and even open conflict. The reason is, this happens because there are excessive expectations and are not in accordance with the reality faced by the Papuan people.
Further industrialization will bring together the culture of the industrial world and the culture of the local community. This is often considered not in line with the interests of the industrial world and it has the potential to trigger friction if it is not managed properly.
The demonstrations by students and the community were an expression of public anger over allegations of discrimination and racist practices against the Papuan people. The government must deal with this positively and wisely in taking steps for the future.
West Papua Faces Modernization and Globalization
Papua is an island that has abundant natural resources. Starting from the waters, forests, and minerals found on this island. This explains how residents can access development outcomes to generate income.
Not only that, the modernization that is taking place in Papua is expected to be a source of livelihood and revolution for the local community. The community hopes that the government and industrial businesses will use local people’s labor so that the unemployment rate will decrease.
Various infrastructure and industrial development agendas were launched by the government in Papua. To accelerate the implementation of the agenda, the government makes the private sector a strategic partner at the present time.
The government has a master plan for the acceleration and expansion of Indonesia’s economic development and one of its targets is Papua. There was formed a unit to accelerate the development of Papua and everything went faster.
Infrastructure and connectivity problems were resolved one by one. Examples of industrial development that are increasingly advanced are power plants, ports, and airports to the Trans Papua road. Construction will continue with the planned railway line.
Industry Located in West Papua
The government has budgeted funds for the development of Papua with the aim of growing and advancing the land of Papua. There are Papuan indigenous peoples who are marginalized and Papua’s land and forests are still in danger of being damaged.
Resource development projects that use land and large areas are extractive and exploitative in nature. Projects for logging, large-scale plantations, and mining in Papua are expected to benefit the local people.
• Bintuni Bay
Bintuni Bay is an example of industrial modernization in West Papua. The government has made major changes for the people of Papua so that they can experience the resources that exist on their land, one of which is natural gas and electricity supply.
• SEZ slide
Sorong SEZ is located in the Sele strait and this industry provides geoeconomic advantages, namely the potential in the fisheries and water transportation sectors. Its location is also very strategic for the development of the logistics, agro-industry, and mining industries.
Based on the existing potential, the Sorong SEZ was developed on the basis of shipbuilding, agro-industry, mining, and logistics activities. This is a form of industry that can revive the economy and absorb a lot of workforce in West Papua.
