Papuan Figures Talk About Special Autonomy Funds, This Is Mahfud MD's Response

JAKARTA - A number of figures from Papua conveyed their aspirations to the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD regarding the special autonomy fund.

In a meeting that was held at the Ballroom Palace, Sari Pan Pacific Hotel, Jakarta, Monday, February 22, yesterday, this figure mentioned the special autonomy funds that are often misused by elements in the regional government.

One of the figures who spoke at the time was the Papua Province expansion team, Albert Yoku. He asked law enforcement officials to take action against any officials who misused the funds.

"We hope that there must be law enforcement in Papua, especially government officials in the regions as well as all those who misuse special autonomy funds," Albert said as quoted in a written statement, Tuesday, February 23.

According to Pastor Albert, Otsus is a great blessing from the central government for indigenous Papuans. "If used properly it will be a blessing, especially in the fields of education, health and economy," he explained.

Likewise, Dorince Mehue, a female leader who is also the Chairperson of the Papuan Evangelical Christian Church Women's Guild (PW GKI), asked the central government to evaluate the use and management of the special autonomy fund since 2002 until now.

"Otsus is a blessing from God through the central government, but it has been abused by a number of people so that the impact does not reach the Papuan people," he said.

According to Dorince, the central government needs to carry out a joint evaluation with the Papuan and West Papua People's Assembly, including evaluating the gaps between customary territories that still exist.

"Papua Province must be expanded, in order to achieve justice so that not only a number of customary areas and territories will receive sufficient autonomy funds. We are ready to support central government policies," said Dorince.

Responding to this, Mahfud MD will follow up and will gather law enforcement officials from the Attorney General's Office, the KPK and the Police so that law enforcement immediately enforces law in Papua.

"I always listen to this matter of law enforcement when having a dialogue with the community and Papuan leaders. Therefore we are following up, we are gathering the Attorney General's Office, the Corruption Eradication Commission, the Police, to bring this aspiration, we will follow up on law enforcement," said Mahfud.

Regarding various other proposals including the expansion of the province, the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs emphasized that he would follow up in two steps. First, the legislation process which will later be submitted to the team through the Ministry of Home Affairs.

"Second, I have asked deputy one of the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs to immediately map it so that the division area is correct, including reviewing proposals from the heads of regions and community leaders," said Mahfud.

Present on this occasion, the Head of BSSN Hinsa Siburian, who is also a former Papua Military Commander, Secretary of the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Major General TNI Tri Soewandono who is also a former Papua Regional Military Command, Deputy of the Regional Police of the Ministry of Politics, Law and Security, Special Staff of the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Members of the Papuan People's Assembly (MRP), Regional Heads and The Papua Provincial DPRD and the Papua Province expansion team.