KSP: The First Time A Papuan Son Becomes The Deputy Minister Of Home Affairs, Jokowi Understands The Problem

Wamendagri John Wempi Wetipo while serving as Deputy Minister of PUPR in October 2019. (ANTARA-Akbar NG)

PAPUA - Deputy V Presidential Chief of Staff (KSP) Jaleswari Pramodhawardani assessed that President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) understood the situation in Papua. He conveyed this regarding the appointment of a Papuan son, John Wempi Wetipo, as Deputy Minister of Home Affairs.

Jaleswari said the appointment of John Wempi as Deputy Minister of Home Affairs was a new history printed by the government of President Jokowi and Vice President Ma'ruf Amin.

“For the first time, a Papuan son has become the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs. This also shows that the President understands the issue of Papua, and sees that the leadership cadres from Papua are ready to fill the national leadership", he said in Jakarta, quoted from Antara, Thursday, June 16.

Jaleswari, who is also a senior researcher at LIPI, said President Jokowi adheres to the Indonesia-centric doctrine in the development and welfare program of the Papuan people.

The President's commitment is embodied in Presidential Instruction No. 9 of 2020 concerning the acceleration of the development of the welfare of the Papuan people, and Law Number 2 of 2021 concerning the Special Autonomy (Otsus) of Papua.

The presence of John Wempi, said Jaleswari, will strengthen the government's performance in developing and prospering the Papuan people, especially for areas that are lagging in development.

"As a former regional head, he understands very well about Special Autonomy", he said.

He also assessed that John Wempi would greatly assist the Minister of Home Affairs, Tito Karnavian, in preparing several important agendas related to Papua's development.

The agenda includes the establishment of the Steering Committee for the Acceleration of Development for Special Autonomy in Papua (BP3OKP) and the completion of the master plan for the acceleration of development in Papua, as well as the acceleration of development through the establishment of new autonomous regions (DOB) in Papua.

"With officials who really understand field conditions and have good communication networks in the regions, the aspiration for the development of a prosperous Papua can run faster, and Otsus can generate greater benefits. We are optimistic that this can go well", he concluded.