Vice President Ma'ruf Amin Said Pastor's Role Is Important As A Game Changer For Papua's Development

JAYAKARTA - Indonesian Vice President Ma'ruf Amin stated that the role of priests as religious leaders is a game changer towards accelerating economic development and prosperity in Papua.

"In developing Papua to make Papua more prosperous and advanced, the role of religious leaders, churches, priests, is the key to the game changer," said Ma'ruf when meeting with a number of church administrators, quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, October 11.

The meeting with the Fellowship of Churches in Papua (PGGP), Papua Christian Center (PCC) on the Mezzanine floor of the Suni Abepura Hotel was for the purpose of friendship as well as discussing social issues.

"So far, when I go to Papua, I always have to meet with priests, because in my opinion, I consider priests or religious leaders to be one of the community leaders who have a big influence in guiding and providing understanding to the community," he said.

Papua as a province with diverse religious adherents, said the Vice President, requires the role of religious leaders to work together with the government in realizing development.

"If we really fight together to develop, I think society will definitely be successful, that's my belief," he said.

A number of discussion topics were raised at the meeting, including those related to the construction of the Papua Cristian Center, to the issue of teacher education.

"We have met several times and perhaps we can report how far it has been processed and of course we will continue to fight until it is successful," he said.

On that occasion, the Vice President absorbed more aspirations from the religious leaders present to take them to the next stage with the relevant authorities.