Underdevelopment problem in Papua is rolling into an international issue since there is wider media exposure on the issue of human rights violations, represive act of security officers and disregard of the basic rights of Papua NativeResident (OAP). Although various policies were already made by the central and local governments, the root cause of backwardness in Papua is untouched and even more frustrating many Papuans.
"Many people talk about Papua. Discussions about Papua are everywhere, but the Papua issue was never resolved," said the Governor of Papua, Lukas Enembe, in Focused Group Discussion (FGD) held by the Papua Task Force ofUniversitas Gadjah Mada in cooperation with the Provincial Government of Papua, on Wednesday (3/8 ), at Grha Sabha Pramana.
In this forum, the Papua Provincial Government officials, including the governor, district secretary, chairman of the MPR, DPR, the regents, and other officials and academics with the Rector of UGM as well as ministry officials assess alternative strategies for the acceleration of development in Papua.
Among the many problems which arise, at least there are three fundamental questions that were examined, which were the fundamental problems that Papua faced to keep pace with development, the strategy of the national government to accelerate development, as well as whether or not a new national level institution needs to be specifically tasked to manage problems of special autonomy in Papua.
Government attention is considered insufficient for the Papuans. The spirit and the policies of the President for the acceleration of development in Papua has not been followed by strong policy support by the assistant of the President in each Ministry. Focus on infrastructure development was considered unable to resolve the real needs of the people of Papua such as education, health, economic, social and cultural matters.
"Poverty in Papua is high because of the backwardness and isolation. Mortality rate from disease, starvation, and violence is still high," said Lukas.
Not only that, there is also the people's demands to be met related to the settlement of the problem of human rights, the need for security, respect for basic rights politically, and recognition of Papuan identity. These problems are serious issues that can contribute to the emergence of the accumulated frustration of the people against the "absence of the state".
Therefore, one of the issues discussed at the forum is how the government needs to prioritize human security approach in the implementation of development in Papua. The approach is done by prioritizing the fulfillment of basic needs for the community security as a solution to the problems in Papua. The results of these studies and discussions will be organized into consideration for the government in formulating development policies in Papua.
"UGM will continue to guard the results of the discussions to be brought to the central government to generate appropriate policy for the people of Papua," said Papua Task Force Chair, Drs. Bambang Purwoko, MA. (UGM / adelily)