Gov’t Mulls Region Expansion in Papua, W. Papua

Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian talks with Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD in a limited meeting at Presidential Office, Jakarta, Wednesday (30/10). (Photo by: Rahmat/PR)

The Central Government is considering expanding regions in the eastern Indonesian provinces of Papua and West Papua to speed up development and maintain security in the island, Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian has said.

According to him, among 183 region expansion proposals from the regional governments, Papua is being prioritized.

“The Government has discussed the aspirations [to become new province] from South Papua, Central Papua, and Central Mountain Papua,” said the Minister after attending a limited meeting at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Wednesday (30/10).

“However, due to budget constraints, the Central Government will only expand two regions,” Tito said, adding that the Government will expand more regions in stages.

Tito explained that South Papua which covers Merauke, Asmat, Mappi, and Boven Digoel Regencies is ready to become a new province.

Meanwhile for Central Mountain Papua, the Government is currently reviewing the proposal.

He went on to say that a region expansion is a situational condition and must undergo an in-depth review, including intelligence data analysis and field study. (HIM/RAH/ES)

Translated by: Estu Widyamurti
Edited by: Muhardi/ Yuyu Mulyani