PON And Peparnas Papua Still Held Amid The COVID-19 Pandemic, Mahfud MD Explains The Reason

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD (Photo: Twitter @mohmahfudmd)

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD said the government would continue to implement the National Sports Week (PON) and National Paralympic Week (Peparnas) in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic to encourage progress in Papua.

This was conveyed by him during a dialogue with Papuan leaders who discussed preparations for the implementation of PON and Peparnas which were held online on Tuesday, September 7th.

"We want Papua to have a sports party that will encourage our progress together. The President himself stated that this PON must be successful, anticipate all problems and prepare all needs," Mahfud said in a written statement quoted on Wednesday, September 8.

The former chairman of the Constitutional Court also said he would go to Papua this week. This aims to ensure that PON preparations run smoothly and safely in accordance with the mandate of Presidential Instruction Number 4 of 2021.

He also said that the PON and Peparnas were held as evidence of the state's presence in Papua as in other regions. "We go forward together, people can advance together," said Mahfud, saying the tagline of PON and Peparnas.

Meanwhile, community leaders who were present said that the success of PON and Peparnas was self-respect for the Papuan people. So, they hope that this event can take place safely.

"Let's just get along in harmony because the success of this PON is self-respect for the Papuan people, this is God's trust through the government to the Papuan people which must be maintained properly," said the Chair of the Papuan Churches Association (PGGP), Reverend MPA Maury.

Similarly, Pastor Hiskia Rollo from PGI Papua encouraged athletes and officials to come comfortably. "Let's come to Papua, like coming to our own home, and rejoice in the peaceful land of Papua," he said.

Next, Kiai Haji Saiful Islam Al Payagedari from the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Papua hopes that PON and Peparnas can be a momentum for progress.

"So that we can develop together with other regions. Don't be confused by events in other places, West Papua is far away, we all hope that PON will run smoothly," he concluded.