Papua Regional Fund Rp12 Trillion, Prabowo: Don't Use it for a Walk

President Prabowo Subianto with the heads of Papua regions at the Merdeka Palace, Tuesday, December 16, 2025 (Prabowo Media Team photo)

JAKARTA - President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto has banned the use of Papua's Special Autonomy (Otsus) funds for personal interests. He emphasized that the central government would ensure that Otsus funds were managed appropriately for the welfare of the people and the acceleration of development in Papua.

The confirmation was conveyed by Prabowo when he gave an explanation to the governors, regents, and mayors throughout Papua and the Executive Committee for the Acceleration of the Development of Special Autonomy for Papua (KEPP-OKP) at the State Palace, Tuesday, December 16.

"I ask the governors and regents to be really responsible. Don't go on many trips abroad using the Otsus funds," said Prabowo in front of the regional heads.

Prabowo reminded that the public is now increasingly easy to monitor the performance of public officials through technological developments and digital spaces. Therefore, he asked regional heads to focus more on being in their respective regions to serve the public directly.

"Now your people are smart, everyone has a gadget. Don't be the regent for too long in Jakarta. You are responsible to your people," said Prabowo. He added, the central government, ministers, and related committees are ready to support the implementation of development programs in the region.

On this occasion, Prabowo also asked the Ministry of Home Affairs to strengthen supervision of the use of Otsus funds so that it really has a real impact on the Papuan people.

The Minister of Finance in the meeting reported that the Papua Otsus funds this year had been disbursed by Rp. 12.6 trillion, while the allocation for 2026 was planned at around Rp. 10 trillion.

Prabowo emphasized that the amount of budget support must be accompanied by honest, transparent, and responsible governance. According to him, good management of Otsus funds is the key to success in development in Papua.

Apart from the issue of the budget, Prabowo also emphasized that the acceleration of Papua's development must focus on meeting the basic needs of the community, especially food security. The government targets that every district in Papua is able to achieve food self-sufficiency according to the potential of each region.

He also emphasized the sustainability of various national strategic programs, such as Free Nutritious Meals, People's Schools, the development of basic infrastructure, and the strengthening of connectivity through the development of the Trans Papua Road.