Division of the province or districts has always become a public issue in Papua in every election moments; no matter it is the regional head election (Pilkada), legislative election or presidential election.
Second Secretary of Papuan Customary Council John NR Gobai said this issue is always addressed as a political agenda by some parties who claim it as the aspirations of the community.
“It’s just a political issue. If it is indeed the real aspirations of the community, therefore it must be respected. However, if the issue raised before the regional head election or legislative election, what does it mean? “This should not be used as a political bargain to get something,” Gobai told Jubi on Thursday, 4 October 2018.
Although he believes that people nowadays are educated and able to make a prediction towards such issue that has blown up ahead the political year, but he still reminds the public to not influenced by such problem. Moreover, the government does not revoke the moratorium regarding new regions yet due to financial reason.
Focus to the main issue amongst the community
Gobai asks the candidates to promote some issues that have become the main problems of the community, such as the settlement of human rights violations, natural resources management, the rights of indigenous peoples and so on, rather than the issue of new autonomy regions.
The division of regions might not an urgent agenda. Moreover, some new districts in Papua are not showing the significant development in various sectors.
“Regarding the division of districts, this is not efficient. Developments in the new areas are stagnant. Also, it should get prior approval from the origin district government or province because it relates to the financing.
“I even heard the information that there are parties who promote the creation of new regions ask for the financial support from the community because the division that they are trying to deal with is not the willingness of the main district government,” said Gobai.
Meanwhile, the parliament member of the commission for the government, politics, law and human rights Orgenes Wanimbo said the similar thing that there is no doubt that some parties who promote the division of regions for their interest but said it was the people’s aspirations, whereas there are many aspects need to consider before proposing this division. For instance, the regional border, the potential natural resources, facilities and human resources, and et cetera.
Furthermore, the new autonomy region, according to Wanimbo, is not an answer to the people’s welfare. On the contrary, it is worried that the indigenous people would be marginalized by the new settlers.(*)
Reporter: Arjuna Pademme
Editor: Pipit Maizier
