Political, Legal, Security Affairs Pivotal for Welfare Development in Papua: Vice President

Vice President Ma’ruf Amin. Photo by: BPMI of Vice President Secretariat

Political, legal and security affairs are important to accelerate welfare development in Papua and West Papua Provinces, according to Vice President Ma’ruf Amin.

“To that end, I hope that in this meeting we can ensure that political, legal and security affairs in Papua and West Papua Provinces can be maintained, in line with measures to accelerate welfare development according to the mandate of Presidential Instruction Number 9 of 2020,” the Vice President said during a meeting on Political, Legal and Security affairs related to Presidential Instruction Number 9 of 2020 in Jakarta, Thursday (28/01).

For the record, at the end of last year the Government issued Presidential Instruction Number 9 of 2020 on the Acceleration of Welfare Development in Papua Province and West Papua Province. The acceleration covers 7 (seven) priority areas, namely poverty, education, health, Micro and Small Enterprises (UKM), employment, achievement of the SDGs, and infrastructure.

The Vice President also reiterated the importance of the context of the Presidential Instruction to generate new spirit and new design for Papua, according to the directives of President Joko Widodo at the Limited Cabinet Meeting on 11 March 2020.

“First, a comprehensive evaluation of the governance and effectiveness of special autonomy fund distribution,” the Vice President said.

Second, the need for new spirit, paradigm, and measures in implementing programs to accelerate welfare development in Papua and West Papua.

Third, the special autonomy policy must be consulted with all communities in Papua and West Papua.

In this regard, on 16 December 2020, the Vice President held a Steering Committee Meeting for the Integrated Team in accordance with Presidential Decree Number 20 of 2020 on the Integrated Coordination Team for Acceleration of Welfare Development in Papua Province and West Papua Province.

The Vice President went on to say that the priority targets are 7 (seven) traditional areas, and the approach is dialogue with local community leaders or local champions (traditional leaders, religious leaders, educational leaders, regional leaders, and youth and women leaders) as strategic partners.

“God willing, if circumstances permit, I will pay a working visit to the two provincial capitals, to carry out dialogue and listen to the people’s opinion through meetings with traditional leaders, religious leaders, provincial and regency/city leaders, as well as educational leaders,” he concluded. (BPMI of Vice President Secretariat/UN) (RI/MMB)