The Special Autonomy Fund Becomes One Of The Central Instruments To Accelerate Development In Papua

The Special Autonomy Fund Becomes One Of The Central Instruments To Accelerate Development In Papua

From 2002 to 2020, the Provinces of Papua and West Papua have received Special Autonomy (Otsus) funds totaling Rp. 94.24 trillion, which has increased almost annually. The special autonomy fund is one of the instruments used by the central government to accelerate development in the two provinces.

In a limited meeting discussing the new policy regarding the Papua special autonomy fund, which according to statutory provisions will end in 2021, President Joko Widodo asked for a comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness of the distribution of the special autonomy fund.

"In accordance with statutory provisions, these Papua and West Papua special autonomy funds will end in 2021 so a new policy regarding this special autonomy fund is needed. Therefore I want to emphasize a comprehensive evaluation of governance and effectiveness of the distribution of these special autonomy funds," he said. President.

The Head of State hopes that the existing budget management can be carried out properly and optimally. In addition, the use of the budget must also be felt the impact and benefits of the people in Papua and West Papua.

"So it is very important that good governance, distribution, whether it has really been delivered to the community, whether it is right on target, what the output is like. And the most important thing we have to see is the extent of its impact. Whether the special autonomy fund has been felt directly by the benefits people in Papua and West Papua, "said the President.

The President also asked his staff to involve a number of elements of society in Papua and West Papua in formulating the special autonomy policy. The Head of State wants that the policy that will be made is the best policy that can make Papua and West Papua more advanced and prosperous.

In addition, the President also stressed that it takes enthusiasm, paradigm, and new ways of working from his ranks to produce a leap of progress for the people in Papua and West Papua. Moreover, government instruments to accelerate development there not only come from the special autonomy fund.

The government also has a vision of equitable development in not only Papua and West Papua, but a number of other regions in eastern Indonesia such as Sulawesi, Maluku and East Nusa Tenggara which must also be considered.

"Underdevelopment in these regions needs to get our attention both through accelerating infrastructure development, encouraging investment to enter, opening new hubs, developing special economic zones, and opening up industrial zones," the President said.