President Summons Prabowo and National Police Chief to Discuss Papuan Welfare

In the meeting, President Jokowi also received reports that the National Development Planning Agency has formulated a strategy for accelerating development in Papua by prioritizing a welfare approach. For this reason, Vice President Ma'ruf Amin, who is also the Chairman of the Special Autonomy Acceleration Leading Team for Papua or BP3OKP, is planned to visit Papua in early June.

"So, earlier I reported that we will start this year and the Vice President will soon go to Papua, because as the head of the implementation," said the Minister of National Development Planning/Head of the National Development Planning Agency (PPN/Bappenas) Suharso Monoarfa at the Presidential Palace Complex.

Also read: To boost the development of four new autonomous regions in Papua, the government encourages constructive dialogue

Suharso said that the discussion at the meeting also covered development aspects with a welfare approach which was planned to be carried out in stages. "We are implementing all these welfare approaches, including for education, health, and so on, the budgets of which have been included in ministries and institutions," he said.

The certainty regarding the inclusion of Papua's welfare budget in ministries and institutions was discussed in the meeting. "This was wanted to be ensured earlier, while the security approach was also given special attention to ensure peace in Papua," added Suharso.

Also read: Special Autonomy Agency: Solving Problems in Papua Requires Dialogue

Contacted separately, Vice President Special Staff for Communication and Information Masduki Baidlowi stated that Vice President Amin plans to conduct a working visit to Papua in early June. The last time the Vice President visited Papua was in October 2023.

"The initial plan is in early June. His special mission is to visit areas that have not been visited by the Vice President. Also, the Vice President will inaugurate the laying of the first stone for the construction of governor's office buildings in new regions, as well as several other agendas," said Masduki on Wednesday (May 8, 2024).

In every visit to Papua, Masduki emphasizes that Vice President Amin's focus all this time has indeed been on the approach to welfare. "Of course, to improve the welfare of Papua, it will not be completed in one national leadership period. It must be continued by the next leaders," he said.

According to Masduki, for Vice President Amin, the most important aspect of implementing welfare development in Papua is to be based on the aspirations of the Papuan people. That is why the Vice President frequently listens to the aspirations of the Papuan people from various levels.

Also read: Vice President's Visit, Aspirations for Expansion, and Hope for Peace in Papua

Previously, Vice President Amin visited Papua from Monday (9/10/2023) to Thursday (12/10/2023). The visit was accelerated by one day because the Vice President had to return to Jakarta to attend a meeting called at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta. At that time, the Vice President filled his work visit to Papua by listening more to the complaints of native Papuans.

As a result of returning early, the Vice President only visited Papua Province and canceled his attendance in two new autonomous regions (DOB), namely the Papua Pegunungan and Papua Selatan Provinces. Initially, the Vice President was scheduled to sign inscriptions and lay the first stone as a sign of the start of the construction of facilities for the Papua Pegunungan and Papua Selatan Provincial Governments.