Papua Figures: President Jokowi Listens to Our Aspirations

Abisai Rollo, public figure of Papua and West Papua province, delivers press statement at State Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday (10/9). (Photo: Rahmat/PR)

Papuan and West Papuan figure Abisai Rollo said he was thankful that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has welcomed aspirations of the people of the two provinces.

“The Indonesian Government has shown a bigger concern for Papua and West Papua,” Abisai said after meeting the President at the State Palace, Tuesday (10/9).

For the record, it was the first meeting between President Jokowi and Papuan figures following an incident of racial abuse against Papuan students in Surabaya and Malang, East Java province, which was followed by protests in Papua and West Papua.

During the meeting, Papuan and West Papuan figures also conveyed ten aspirations to the President.

“Thank God, President Jokowi welcomed all of the aspirations,” Abisai said.

One of the promises that President Jokowi made to the Papuans is to build a Presidential Palace in capital Jayapura. By building the palace, the President will not only visit Papua, but also has an office there, Abisai said.

He went on to say that through the Palace, the President will oversee the whole development of Papua and West Papua provinces and can quickly respond to any issue.

“So nobody dares to provoke us as Papua is part of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI),” Abisai firmly said, adding that today there is only one flag—Indonesia’s red and white flag—raised in Papua and West Papua.

On that occasion, Abisai also expressed gratitude because President Jokowi accepted the proposal for the expansion of Papua Province. For that reason, Papuan and West Papuan figures who attended the meeting, he added, will convey the news to the people in Papua and will encourage them to stay united.

Abisai also said that he would tell the people of Papua and West Papua that the Indonesian Government has allocated much bigger fund for the two provinces than what they have given to the Government annually. “Therefore, Papuans should be grateful to the Republic of Indonesia,” Abisai stated.

For the record, data shows that Freeport in Papua only provides Rp26 trillion per year, while the Government has spent Rp92 trillion for the provinces every year, meaning that the Government has allocated greater assistance to develop Papua and West Papua. (MAY / RAH / ES)

Translated by: Estu Widyamurti
Edited by: M. Ersan Pamungkas