OAP Student Forum Asks The Government To Approve The New Autonomous Region Of Papua

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JAKARTA - The Papuan Indigenous Student Forum (OAP) has asked the central government to accelerate the ratification of new autonomous regions (DOB) in the Papua region.

Forum Coordinator Charles Kosay asked President Joko Widodo and the DPR to immediately ratify and sign the new autonomous region law, specifically for three provinces, namely South Papua, Central Papua, and Central Highlands Papua.

"We see this new autonomous region as a solution and strategy for development in Papua," he said in a written statement quoted by Antara, Tuesday, June 7.

According to him, as youths and students, Papuans are intellectuals to guard the aspirations of the people.

Charles Kosay said two regions in Papua Province currently cannot manage the problems that occur because some of these districts are still in isolated areas.

Furthermore, the problem of health and education factors has not been reached, the teachers or teaching staff as well as the medical team or medical personnel have not been able to go to certain areas because there is no road construction.

In addition, the building has not been renovated properly, the school is not so good. According to him, this is because the provincial government cannot manage it.

"With the expansion, it will help to open up isolated areas," he said.

He emphasized that the expansion of the new autonomous regions would place the welfare of the land of Papua and OAP on a par with their brothers and sisters in other provinces in Indonesia.

This, he said, shortened the logistics route in Papua, which is geographically full of natural challenges, so that logistics needs are met quickly, effectively, efficiently and cheaply.

In addition, continued Charles Kosay, shortening the administrative command line so that people, especially in remote areas, can get services from local governments quickly.

Next, equalize the results of development. So far, according to him, it has only been enjoyed by indigenous Papuans living in urban areas where the infrastructure is already available.

This is no less important, said Charles Kosay, opening up new job opportunities for OAP which so far have not been commensurate with the newcomers. This is because their level of competition still needs to be improved.

Previously, Deputy Speaker of the DPR Lodewijk F. Paulus emphasized that the DPR had received a presidential letter (surpres) from the government regarding the discussion of the three new autonomous regions (DOB) in Papua.

He mentioned the Bill on the Province of South Papua (Ha Anim), the Bill on the Province of Central Papua (Meepago), and the Bill on the Province of Papua in the Central Mountains (Lapago).