Regional Expansion in Papua Is Believed to be Realized

The expansion in several areas in Papua which is now a discourse is believed to be realized.

"Pemekaran, if it is wanted by the community or the elites, at any time it can happen," said Director of the Papua Circle Institute, Hironimus Hilapok, in a discussion on the expansion of the Papua region today.

He acknowledged that the issue of the expansion of Papua without revoking the motarorium of expansion of the developing region is still reaping pros and cons in society. Because, on the one hand it creates prosperity, on the other hand it is intended to divide the people of Papua.

Therefore, he reminded that the discourse should be evaluated jointly by all elements of the nation. For the people of Papua, he said, it is very important to have openness between the government and the population regarding the expansion plan or the formation of a new autonomous region (DOB) on the land of Cendrawasih.

"So whatever is decided, whether the division of the province, or Regency / City, is based on mutual agreement," he said.

For Hironimus, Papua is a region with its own specialties. This fact is important to be noted by the government in the planned expansion or formation of the New Autonomous Region (DOB) as planned by the government and will be executed by the Ministry of Home Affairs in connection with the division of the South and Central Papua regions (Provinces).

"This division is a small part of the Papuan problem, but don't let any part be forgotten," emphasized Hironimus.

Meanwhile, a politician from the Democratic Party, Herman Khaeron, emphasized that expansion is only aimed at creating prosperity, fiscal improvement, and improving public services.

"So, if the opposite occurs after the expansion, the decline and the people getting poorer means failure. So, the expansion should not have political interests, "said Herman in the discussion.

He said, expansion is how to synchronize the desires of local and central communities. Therefore, said Herman, we must be careful about the expansion and must involve all elements of society in the regions.

"It must first absorb the aspirations of the local community," he said.

Regarding expansion, Andi Batara Lipo from the Ministry of Home Affairs explained, since 1999-2019 there were 223 new provinces, regencies and cities that were developed, and all of them were almost successful. He added that the division of Papua or the formation of new autonomous regions in Papua is the discourse that the Jokowi administration will roll out in the upcoming second period (2019-2024).