Kasuari Military Commander Asks Papuan Indigenous Peoples To Be Active In All Fields For The Acceleration Of Development

Commander of Kodam XVIII/Kasuari, Major General I Nyoman antiasa (ANTARA)

PAPUA - Commander of Kodam XVIII/Kasuari, Major General I Nyoman always invites indigenous Papuans in West Papua to strengthen indigenous resilience within the framework of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia from foreign cultural influences.

"The resilience of indigenous peoples must be maintained as a capital for the integrity of this nation from foreign cultural influences which are currently getting stronger," said the Military Commander during a reflection discussion on the 93rd Youth Pledge Day in Manokwari, Antara, Thursday, October 28. .

Reflection on the Youth Oath Day on October 28, 2021, was packaged by the West Papua Indigenous Peoples Institution (LMA) through a forum for indigenous peoples, with the theme 'Guarding Special Autonomy within the framework of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia for sustainable development in West Papua.

On that occasion, antiasa said, the government and LMA must have one vision, so that the community is actively involved in filling the development in this province.

"We as indigenous Papuans must be active in all fields to become a superior society in accelerating development," he said.

He also explained the success and benefits of Otsus in the field of human resources that have been seen in this province through the acceptance of 1,000 Special Autonomy Officers for Papuans, as well as building the Taruna Kasuari Nusantara High School.

Regarding the role of adat in the field of Ipoleksosbud and Defense and Security, he emphasized that the current ideology in Indonesia is the ideology of Pancasila and must be upheld, including in West Papua.

"Customs act as intermediaries between the government and the community, therefore the customs and culture of the Papuan people must be preserved under the Pancasila ideology," he said.

He also appreciated the role of LMA as a partner and control tool for Customs and the Government to increase community participation in maintaining unity and integrity in the region.

"Don't forget that we have customs and culture as well as traditions because tradition is something that has been tested for truth from our ancestors, we just need to continue," he said.

As the commander of the Kodam, he explained that one of his duties in Military Operations Other than War was to assist local governments. One of the things that has been done is to raise customs. "I don't want the cultural customs that exist in Papua to be lost," he said.